The Department of Education has released more than P3.7 million in emergency funds to assist schools in Albay affected by continuing ashfall from Mayon Volcano, as communities grapple with evacuations and disruptions to learning.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the P3.715 million allocation will fund cleanup operations and address the immediate needs of 133 schools impacted by volcanic activity. The assistance forms part of broader government efforts to keep classrooms safe and operational amid ongoing unrest.
Mayon remains under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified volcanic activity and the possibility of sudden hazardous eruptions. In response, DepEd has expanded the distribution of learning materials, protective equipment, and sanitation supplies to affected schools.
Among the items being delivered are 850 “EduKahon” all-weather learning kits, N95 masks, hygiene supplies, disinfectants, and classroom equipment such as printers. The department is also providing virtual learning support packages worth around P20,000 per school through partnerships with development organizations, including People in Need.
Authorities said the measures aim to minimize disruptions to learning while safeguarding students and teachers from the effects of ashfall.
“Patuloy nating tinitiyak ang agarang suporta para mapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro habang nananatili ang banta ng Mayon,” Angara said, stressing the need to sustain education delivery even during emergencies.
He added that learning continuity remains a priority, saying, “Kasabay ng paghahatid ng mga kinakailangang supply, sinisiguro nating hindi mapuputol ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan.”
The volcanic activity has also forced some schools to serve as evacuation centers. In Camalig, Albay, Tagaytay Elementary School and Bariw Elementary School are currently sheltering 172 families, or about 603 individuals. This includes 53 students and 10 DepEd personnel, with at least 24 classrooms temporarily converted into living quarters for displaced residents.
To support affected learners, DepEd has activated its Batang Empowered and Resilient Team (BERT) program, which provides psychosocial support and helps children continue their education through modular learning while coping with displacement.
The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service is coordinating closely with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and local government units, with field teams deployed to assess school safety and monitor ashfall conditions.
Classes in affected areas have shifted to alternative delivery modes, including self-learning modules, as access to schools within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone remains restricted.
PHIVOLCS continues to warn that Mayon’s activity remains unstable, with explosive eruptions and sudden steam-driven events still possible under current conditions.