Batangas schools affected by Taal eruption resume classes on Feb. 3

Three weeks after Taal Volcano's eruption, several schools in Batangas would resume classes on Monday, February 3, Mav Gonzales reported Sunday on "24 Oras Weekend."

In preparation for the resumption of classes, members of Joint Task Force Taal, the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, and volunteers from Laurel, Batangas, had been cleaning the Laurel Central school since Tuesday.

Elementary students from different barangays in Laurel would also temporarily hold classes at Laurel Central as some schools were still being used as evacuation centers.

"'Di po sila papapasukin doon, lockdown pa dahil sobra ang pagkasira sa kanila... at tsaka 'yong mga bahay, natabunan," Rafilde Diumampo, a teacher at Laurel Central School said.

In order to accommodate all the students, two-class shifts would be held: 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Classes would be also be held on Saturdays to make up for lost school hours.

The Department of Education, meanwhile, said students could attend classes at schools nearest to them.

Moreover, the Batangas Provincial Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said Governor Hermilando Mandanas gave Batangas mayors discretion on whether they would allow classes to resume or not.

"Ipinababahala na ngayon ni governor sa ating mga mayors ang kanila discretion kung sa palagay nila ay okay na, malinis ang mga eskwelahan at 'yong mga evacuees ay naka-transfer na," Joselisto Castro of the Batangas PDRRMO said.

While no one died nor was hospitalized during Taal Volcano's eruption last January 12, the Department of Health had recorded 39 deaths as of February 1, mostly caused by either anxiety or negligence of the casualties.

An Alert Level 3 remained raised over Taal Volcano.

The PHIVOLCS warned that steam-driven phreatomagmatic explosions were still possible, as well as volcanic earthquakes, ashfall and lethal volcanic gas expulsions, all of which threatened Volcano Island and areas around Taal Lake.

PHIVOLCS also reminded the public that Volcano Island and the seven-kilometer radius around the main crater were still danger zones and entry was prohibited. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/DVM, GMA News