Classes in Cebu suspended amid ashfall from Kanlaon eruption

CEBU CITY— Several local governments in Cebu province suspended classes on Thursday after ashfall from the early morning eruption of Mt. Kanlaon reached parts of Metro Cebu and western Cebu localities.

Among those that ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools were the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, and the municipalities of Minglanilla, Pinamungajan, Aloguinsan, Asturias, Consolacion, and Cordova.

READ: Kanlaon ashfall reaches part of Cebu

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In Toledo City, Mayor Joie Perales suspended classes at all levels and work in local government offices for the day.

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Toledo City, which directly faces Negros Island where Mt. Kanlaon is located, was among the areas affected by the volcanic ashfall.

The city government also urged residents, particularly the elderly,  pregnant women, children, and individuals with respiratory or heart ailments, to stay indoors whenever possible and wear face masks when going outside.

READ: Kanlaon Volcano sees ‘moderately explosive eruption’ – Phivolcs

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival announced the suspension of classes in all public and private schools until further notice as a precaution against the ashfall.

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Archival said the Cebu City government is closely monitoring the effects of the Kanlaon eruption in coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), and other concerned agencies.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) has also been directed to assess the situation continuously and issue appropriate advisories.

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“As a precautionary measure, and out of utmost concern for the health, safety, and welfare of our pupils and students, classes at all levels, both in public and private schools in Cebu City, are hereby suspended until further notice,” Archival said in a statement.

The Cebu City government advised residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, monitor only official advisories from Phivolcs, Pagasa, and the city government, wear face masks while outdoors, and stay indoors if ashfall intensifies.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) confirmed that Mt. Kanlaon remains under alert level 2 or with moderate unrest following Thursday’s moderately explosive eruption and urged the public to take precautions against volcanic ash.

The agency advised residents in affected areas to wear face masks, preferably N95 or KN95 respirators, when outdoors, stay indoors as much as possible, keep doors and windows closed, and limit outdoor activities, especially for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. It also recommended wearing eyeglasses or goggles to protect the eyes, covering food and drinking water from ash contamination, and exercising caution while driving due to reduced visibility and slippery roads.

READ: Kanlaon communities warned of lahar flows amid rains from Inday

Engr. Cindylyn Pepito, EMB-7 public information officer, said the agency has begun monitoring the environmental impact of the eruption.

“We are now coordinating with the Negros Island Region for information,” Pepito said in a message.

She added that EMB-7 will install filters at its manual air quality monitoring stations on Thursday and is continuously monitoring particulate matter through its real-time air quality monitoring stations in Talisay City and Toledo City.

The agency also urged the public to rely only on official advisories from Phivolcs, Pagasa, EMB, and their respective local government units and to refrain from spreading unverified information.

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Authorities said monitoring of Kanlaon’s activity and its effects on Cebu is ongoing, with additional advisories expected as the situation develops. /coa