As the volcano remains under Alert Level 3.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara stressed that the safety of school communities in Albay is a priority following the recent activity of the Mayon Volcano in Albay.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has provided at least 850 all-weather kits and N95 masks for immediate distribution to affected schools for students and staff.
Aside from those, DepEd has also mobilized PHP 20,000 worth of learning, teaching, and hygiene kits per school to strengthen local contingency plans.
“Prayoridad natin ang kanilang kaligtasan habang nagbibigay ng suporta para sa kanilang edukasyon sa gitna ng sakuna,” said Angara. “Sisikapin natin na hindi maantala ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan dito sa Albay sa kabila ng sitwasyon, lalo na’t magsisimula na ang summer remediation programs at darating na ang pasukan.”
As of May 3, three schools in the province: Tagaytay Elementary School, Bariw Elementary School, and Cabangan Elementary School in Camalig town are serving as evacuation centers.
A total of 34 classrooms are being temporarily used as shelters for 488 families or approximately 1,315 individuals, including 101 students and nine staff members.
DepEd said that it is also closely coordinating with local disaster authorities to strengthen emergency preparedness and safety protocols for the safety of all students and staff.
Moreover, DepEd’s field offices and schools have also been instructed to store learning materials, records, and equipment in a safe place while preparing essential emergency resources.