SEN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian urged the Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday to ensure that adequate emergency response measures are already in place for the safety of students and schools in most vulnerable areas likely to be affected ahead of Taal Volcano’s possible “explosive eruption.”
If necessary, the senator suggested the DepEd could quickly tap into its P2.1-billion quick response fund (QRF) to address damages to schools, stressing that in times of calamity, “readiness plays a key role to ensure safety of students and not delay their education.”
Citing a recent Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) bulletin reporting more than 200 recorded volcanic earthquakes in Taal region, Gatchalian noted warnings there are high risks of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami within the 14-kilometer radius from the Taal Volcano’s main crater.
The senator advised school authorities to closely coordinate with their local governments’ first responders in times of calamity, citing an Education Cluster Report that nearly 6 million students in 46 divisions and more than 5,300 schools have been affected by the latest volcanic activity.
Warning about the likelihood of destructive eruption still to come, he advised affected sectors to be prepared for a bigger explosion. “Hindi pa lumilipas ang pinakamalalang maaaring mangyari sa pag-alboroto ng Bulkang Taal, kaya dapat natin paghandaan ang maaaring epekto ng isang malaking pagsabog,” said Gatchalian.
In a news statement, he further advised officials in affected communities on the importance of having plans to quickly clean up school premises to protect the health of students and teachers before classes resume.
“Kung sakaling magkaroon ng malaking pagsabog at lumala ang pag-ulan ng abo, mahalagang may plano tayo kung paano natin mabilis na malilinis ang mga paaralan upang mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga guro at mag-aaral lalo na kapag muling nagbukas ang klase,” he added.
The senator issued the reminder as Alert Level 4 remained over Taal Volcano, indicating that a hazardous explosive eruption is imminent within hours to days. He cited reports the activity in volcano resulted in an ashfall that reached Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and parts of Southern Luzon, adding that a health advisory by the Department of Health (DOH) warned the ashfall could trigger eye, nose, and throat irritations, breathing problems, and coughing among others.
The senator also suggested that schools continue to closely coordinate with their local governments “as they tend to be the first responders in times of calamity.”
Image credits: wingatchalian.com