The Department of Education (DepEd) is intensifying safety measures in Albay as Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, rolling out emergency supplies and support to protect students, teachers, and school personnel while ensuring learning continues.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency has prepositioned at least 850 all-weather kits and N95 masks for quick distribution to schools affected by the volcanic activity. In addition, learning, teaching, and hygiene kits worth P20,000 per school have been deployed to strengthen contingency efforts on the ground.
“Prayoridad natin ang kanilang kaligtasan habang nagbibigay ng suporta para sa kanilang edukasyon sa gitna ng sakuna,” Angara said, underscoring the department’s dual focus on safety and continuity of education.
He added that DepEd is working to prevent disruptions in students’ learning despite the ongoing crisis, especially with summer remediation programs approaching and the next school year drawing near.
As of May 3, several schools in Camalig town—including Tagaytay Elementary School, Bariw Elementary School, and Cabangan Elementary School—have been converted into evacuation centers. A total of 34 classrooms are currently sheltering 488 families, or 1,315 individuals, among them 101 displaced learners and nine school personnel.
DepEd said it is closely coordinating with local disaster response units to strengthen safety protocols and has directed field offices to secure vital learning materials and school equipment.
Authorities continue to enforce strict restrictions within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone and the extended danger areas around Mayon Volcano, amid ongoing threats of sudden eruptions and lava flow.