DepEd suspends face-to-face classes for over 3.5M students in Calabarzon due to Taal Volcano smog

The Department of Education (DepEd) has authorized over 3.58 million students across Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa to suspend face-to-face classes due to volcanic smog from Taal Volcano.

As of Wednesday, schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mimaropa have resumed in-person classes, while those in Calabarzon remain suspended.

DepEd instructed affected schools to use alternative methods such as modular or online learning during suspensions; on Aug. 18 and 20 respectively, over 350,754 students in Laguna and 480,958 learners in Rizal shifted to these modes.

Schools are advised to report any incidents like displacements or injuries to their regional office; recent data shows that 2,967 schools across the three regions were affected with over 3.5 million learners and 112,791 personnel impacted.

On Monday, PHIVOLCS reported an emission of 3,355 metric tons of sulfur dioxide from Taal Volcano and observed an 'upwelling of hot volcanic fluids' in the main crater lake.