Over 2,600 Calabarzon schools suspend classes due to Taal volcanic smog

Over 40 local government units (LGUs) in Luzon, including Metro Manila's Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna Province, Batangas municipalities, and others, suspended classes on Monday, August 19, and extended the suspension to Tuesday, August 20, due to volcanic smog from Taal Volcano.

On Wednesday, August 21, additional towns in Laguna and Rizal suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools because of the ongoing high levels of volcanic smog or vog.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that Taal Volcano emitted 5,128 tons of sulfur dioxide on August 20, with a large emission reaching up to 2,100 meters and drifting northwest and north-northwest.

Local authorities advised residents to stay indoors and wear masks to reduce exposure to vog, which can cause respiratory irritation.

A total of 2,685 schools in Calabarzon have suspended in-person classes due to the volcanic smog or vog from Taal Volcano as of August 21, affecting 2,850,095 learners and 89,575 school personnel in the region.

The Department of Education (DepEd) authorized schools in Calabarzon and Metro Manila to employ alternative delivery modalities such as modular or online learning if local government units did not issue an official announcement. In-person classes were suspended in 254 schools in Metro Manila due to the pollutant-induced haze.