• CHERYL G. CRUZ
La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on suspended Dec. 13 the in-person classes in 10 schools in the city until Jan. 3 next year, still due to the Mount Kanlaon eruption.
These are the Miguel Mondia Elementary School in Sitio Bais, Brgy. Yubo, Yubo Elementary School, Yubo National High School – Junior High School, Yubo National High School – Senior High School, Ara-al ES, Ara-al ES Extension in Nailab, La Carlota North ES, La Carlota South ES II, Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School-SHS, and La Carlota City College – Cubay campus.
The first six schools are located within the six-km permanent danger zone (PDZ), with most of the learners now in evacuation centers, while the remaining schools are being used as evacuation centers, the city Public Information Office said in a post.
“We encourage these schools to transition to alternative delivery modes, such as online classes, modular learning, or other applicable methods, to ensure that learning continues without disruption” the city said.
Jalando-on also urged everyone to show compassion and empathy towards internally displaced persons and families affected by the eruption. “Let us work together to support each other as we navigate through this crisis. Stay safe, and take care of one another.”
The Negros Island Region-Center for Health Development of the Department of Health, meanwhile, raised its status to Code Blue Dec. 13 after Negros Occidental was placed under a state of calamity due to the volcano eruption impact.
Under Code Blue, the DOH-NIR can supplement the province’s request for more aid for residents affected by the eruption, and ensure the immediate deployment of health teams, experts, and additional units, director Razel Nikka Hao said.
The DOH NIR-CHD will prioritize high burden evacuation centers in the deployment of its personnel; inventory and augment critical supplies and commodities to ensure adequacy and timely replenishment; continuously monitor and report health concerns, especially those in evacuation centers; and maintain communication lines 24/7, in coordination with affected areas, hospitals, and other health-related stakeholders, Hao said.
“We urge the public to follow evacuation orders and safety instructions from your local government unit/s,” Hao stressed. “Continue to protect yourself from ashfall by staying indoors, wearing masks, and sealing windows and doors to prevent ash from entering your home; use only clean, safe water for drinking and cooking; and maintain proper hygiene, wash hands regularly, and immediately report any sign of illness in the evacuation center.” | CGC
