DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua together with the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Service , Education Facilities Division, and the Division Office Engineer of Batangas visit schools located in the 14km danger zone to assess the extent of the damages in buildings and classrooms due to heavy ashfall.
Based on his observation, Pascua observed that the “roofs, ceilings, covered courts, pathways, and walls of the school buildings were severely damaged.” He also surveyed the school grounds that “were still covered with thick volcanic dust and needed major clearing operations.” Pascua noted that the condition of the schools were not just a simple case of ash fall that can be cleaned. “We have to take into consideration the surroundings, the paths, the houses, and others – these should all be cleaned well, otherwise the ash fall will just stay there.”
Classes in one DepEd division in Region IV-A remain suspended, directly affecting 61,613 learners in 112 schools. Classes at all levels in this division have been suspended since Jan. 13.