15K learners exposed to Kanlaon eruption

The Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) on 18 December revealed that at least 15,487 learners from public and private schools were exposed in the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.

The data presented by DepEd-7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez that 14,543 came from public schools and 944 from private schools in Canlaon City.

He cited that 152 learners were affected.

Exposed teaching and non-teaching personnel were 671 with 118 affected. Of these, 605 exposed came from public schools and 66 from private schools.

While public schools exposed and affected were 38 and nine, respectively.

Jimenez disclosed the release of P10 million for Canlaon schools disaster funds and P5 million for Gihulngan.

There are 17 schools situated in the five barangays identified by Phivolcs that are within the 6-km radius from the main crater of Mt. Kanlaon, but only nine Schools were affected by the initial evacuation of residences as of 9 a.m. of 10 December.

These nine were Matagbak Elementary School, Concepción Palmares Montealegre Elementary School, Masulog Elementary School, Masulog High School, Minabuntod Elementary School, Pula Elementary School, Pula National High School, Villa Iowa Elementary School and Kalubihan Elementary School.

Some 152 learners are currently in the evacuation centers in Canlaon City with 133 public school learners and one private school learner.

There were four Alternative Learning System learners, nine Day Care learners, five learners enrolled in schools neighboring school division offices.