Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said yesterday classes in Batangas are unlikely to resume any time soon as Taal Volcano remains on a restive state.
Densing said classes in schools being used as evacuation centers in Batangas remain suspended.
However, Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas may announce the resumption of classes if students can return to their schools.
“Sa evacuation center kung nasaan po ang mga estudyante at saka mga evacuees, wala po,” he said.
“Ang banggit ni Gov. Mandanas ng Batangas, wala pa pong klase ngayon pero mukhang tinitignan niya on a day-to-day basis. Tomorrow, kung tingin niya po eh puwede nang gamitin ang eskuwelahan at pwede nang ibalik ang mga bata sa eskuwelahan, ibabalik niya na po ang pagde-deklara ng pagpapatuloy ng klase simula bukas,” he added.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones had earlier said that they are working on relocating the evacuees occupying schools in Batangas because the education of learners has been compromised.
Densing said they are discussing moving the evacuees out of the schools but for now, other schools were asked to accept the students affected by Taal.
“’Yung mga schoolchildren naapektuhan nitong evacuation, kung pwedeng tanggapin po ng ibang malalapit na eskuwelahan na malapit,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Civil Defense yesterday assured affected residents that the government will take care of animals affected by the eruption, saying those still on the island and danger zones will be evacuated.
OCD Assistant Secretary Casiano Monilla made the statement as authorities started to rescue animals trapped in the danger zones amid the threat of an imminent hazardous eruption of Taal Volcano.
Monilla said they have asked the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the different Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to account if there are still animals that needed to be rescued.
However, Monilla said the animals will not be placed in the evacuation centers as the people affected by the unrest.
“Kasama rin naman po talaga ito sa procedure, supposedly, to bring yung mga hayop nila ‘pag umalis,” he said.
“Although hindi mo siya sa evacuation center but there would be a – different DRRMCs would be able to, at least, cater to the plight of these animals. Para maalagaan din sila. Parang iche-check-in din po sila,” he added. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)