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

The data presented by DepEd-7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez showed that 14,543 learners 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 numbered 671, with 118 affected. Of these, 605 exposed personnel came from public schools and 66 from private schools.

Meanwhile, 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 residents as of 9 a.m. on 10 December 2024.

These nine schools 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.

A total of 152 learners are currently in evacuation centers in Canlaon City, including 133 public school learners and one private school learner.

There were four Alternative Learning System learners, nine Day Care learners, and five learners enrolled in schools neighboring School Division Offices.

Of the 118 school personnel exposed, none are in evacuation centers, as they opted to evacuate to their relatives living outside Canlaon or beyond the 6-km radius from the main crater of the volcano.