TAAL’S VOLCANIC SMOG FORCES SUSPENSION OF CLASSES IN CALABARZON, NEARBY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

VOLCANIC smog or vog from Taal Volcano in Batangas on Monday (August 19, 2924) has caused suspension of classes in several areas in Calabarzon Region and in Metro Manila.

The announcement for class suspension was made by each local government unit (LGU) through their social media pages.

Among the LGUs that suspended face-to-face classes and shifted to modular or online classes were Balete, Balayan, Malvar, Laurel, San Jose, Mataas na Kahoy, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Nasugbu, Lemery, Lian,Talisay, San Luis, Alitagtag, Calaca, San Pascual, Calatagan, Tuy, Cuenca, Sta. Teresita, Bauan, San Juan,Taal, Padre Garcia and Ibaan in Batangas.

In Cavite, classes were suspended in Silang, Mendez, Indang, Alfonso, GMA, Carmona, Gen . Emilio Aguinaldo, Amadeo, Maragondon, Naic and Carmona.

Calamba, Biñan and Los Baños in Laguna also suspended face-to-face classes due to vog.

Meanwhile, Parañaque and Muntinlupa cities in the National Capital Region also suspended classes in all public and private schools.

In its social media page, Parañaque warned against the ill health effects and advised the donning of face mask to avoid exposure when going outdoors.

Muntinlupa suspended classes starting 10 a.m. due to “unhealthy air quality” and shifted to asynchronous mode of learning.

Based on the 24-hour observation made by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Taal Volcano released at 12 a.m. Monday, the volcano is on alert level 1 or low-level unrest.

Taal Volcano was observed to be emitting 3,355 tons of sulfur dioxide flux per day since Thursday, resulting in vog.

According to Phivolcs, vog is composed of sulfur dioxide gas and other volcanic gases, and mixed with atmospheric oxygen, dust or ashes, and sunlight.

Vog results in a foggy view of surroundings and can cause irritations of the eyes, throat, and nose.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said it is monitoring the situation.

The OCD said it is coordinating with DOST (Department of Science and Technology)-Phivolcs, DENR-EMB (Department of Environment and Natural Resouces-Environmental Management Bureau) Calabarzon and various LDRRMOs (local disaster risk reduction and management offices) to assess the situation and provide corresponding support once needed.