ILOILO City — The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that more than 233,000 students have been affected by suspended face-to-face classes as Mt. Kanlaon continues to exhibit heightened volcanic activity under Alert Level 2.
In a situation update issued at 5 p.m. on February 27, DepEd said 233,528 learners and 10,076 teaching and non-teaching personnel from 465 public schools across six divisions in the Negros Island Region (NIR) were impacted by the ongoing unrest.
According to the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2 due to increased volcanic activity. On Feb. 26, the volcano produced a short-lived moderately explosive eruption and a 71-minute ash emission, sending a plume approximately 2.5 kilometers into the air that drifted southwest.
Data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) showed 14 volcanic earthquakes, sulfur dioxide emissions averaging 194 tons per day, and continued ground inflation — indicators of sustained internal activity.
Authorities reiterated that entry into the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited due to the possibility of sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions. Communities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental remain under close monitoring.
DepEd said all affected schools have temporarily halted in-person classes and shifted to the Flexible Learning Program to maintain educational continuity. As of the latest report, none of the schools have been converted into evacuation centers.
The department is working with local disaster risk reduction and management offices to assess potential evacuation needs and monitor developments on the ground. Schools are also being evaluated should they need to serve as temporary shelters.
DepEd-DRRMS underscored the importance of implementing Alternative Delivery Modes in emergency planning and ensuring that learning materials, records, and essential resources are secured and prepositioned.
School officials were instructed to coordinate with local DRRM offices, activate school-based disaster response teams, and enforce contingency measures to safeguard both learners and personnel.
DepEd said it remains committed to protecting the welfare of students and school staff while ensuring that learning continues despite the volcanic threat./PN
