Locality at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon resumes classes

Mt. Kanlaon, which had a steam-driven eruption on Sept. 13, has calmed down, as shown here on Monday. --JIGZ SANTIAGO

BACOLOD CITY—The suspension of classes in La Castellana town in Negros Occidental, has been lifted after the restive Mt. Kanlaon volcano has calmed down.

Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan said classes at all levels in public and private schools, which were canceled after the volcano had a steam-driven eruption and spew harmful sulfuric fumes on Sept. 13, resumed on Monday.

She said government agencies, including the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the provincial and municipal health offices, and the Department of Education—Division Office, have determined that conditions have improved and it was now safe to resume educational activities.

“Recent assessments from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and other relevant agencies have determined that while the unrest of Mt. Kanlaon remains at Alert Level 2, the threat is localized, and adequate safety protocols can be maintained without necessitating the ongoing suspension of educational activities,” the mayor said in an executive order issued on Sept. 20.

Minimize disruptions

Mangilimutan said it was essential to resume academic operations in order to avoid further disruption to the students’ overall learning process.

Localities like La Castellana near Mt. Kanlaon, which straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Oriental, implemented preemptive evacuations of residents living close to the volcano on Sept. 13.

At least 550 families, composed of 1,862 individuals in Barangays Biak na Bato, Cabagnaan and Masulog in La Castellana town transferred to evacuation centers outside the danger zone.