• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 362 public schools in Negros Occidental have shifted to alternative delivery mode (ADM) of learning as health measure, following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Dec. 9.
Records of the Department of Education-Western Visayas (DepEd-6) showed that learners affected by the eruption of volcano in Negros Occidental totaled 540,312.
“The safety and well-being of our learners are now our topmost priority,” DepEd-6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. said during an interview.
“This will ensure that despite the calamity, we will provide necessary assistance to our learners and personnel during this time,” he added.
DepEd-6 data showed that 289 schools from Antique, 53 from Guimaras, 98 from Iloilo also adopted the ADM.
Escullar said that the affected schools division offices (SDOs) are also in constant coordination with local government units while the DepEd regional office updates their central office on the situation.
“The SDOs coordinate with their respective health authorities to ensure compliance with the latest health guidelines. SDOs will provide psychological first aid to affected learners and personnel to address any mental health issues,” he added.
Mt. Kanlaon is now under Alert Level 3. | GB with PNA reports
