By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Face-to-face classes in elementary and high schools in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, resumed Monday, Feb. 24, after being suspended due to Kanlaon Volcano’s activity.
Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo issued Executive Order No. 204 on Feb. 20, allowing the full resumption of in-person classes at both levels.
Yulo stated in the order that lifting the restrictions was deemed appropriate, considering the schools’ preparedness. She said schools may fully resume face-to-face classes if they find it suitable.
However, she noted that limited face-to-face classes and modular learning will remain in place for kindergarten and special needs education.
Following previous Kanlaon activity, the town had suspended all classes and gradually transitioned to limited in-person sessions and modular learning to adjust to the volcano’s unpredictable unrest and possible escalation.
As part of preparedness measures, the executive order stated that schools have conducted regular simulation drills to familiarize teachers, students, and parents with emergency responses and minimize risks in case of an eruption.
Kanlaon Volcano remains at Alert Level 3, with a six-kilometer prohibited danger zone.
Yulo directed all schools to continue regular simulation exercises for volcanic eruptions.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, Moises Padilla is 28.2 kilometers from the volcano and is among the areas likely to be affected by pyroclastic flows in the event of a major eruption.
