#WalangPasok: Class suspensions for Friday, September 22, 2023

MANILA, Philippines – Classes have been suspended on Friday, September 22, 2023 in some areas in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna and Metro Manila due to volcanic smog or vog from Taal Volcano.

The Philippine Institute of of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) advised Thursday afternoon that vog has been observed over Taal Lake by the Taal Volcano Network and has lingered over the region until present.

Continuous upwelling persists at the Taal Main Crater Lake, generating steam plumes that rose 2,400-meters high before drifting to the west-northwest.

Satellite monitors have also detected a large cloud of sulfur dioxide or SO2 over and stretching west of Taal Lake today.

Here's the list of class suspensions for Friday, September 22, 2023 (refresh page for updates):

Metro Manila - all levels, public and private (according to MMDA)

ABISO: Suspendido na ang pasok sa lahat ng antas ng klase sa BUONG METRO MANILA ngayong araw, 22 Setyembre, dahil sa smog formation. Base ito sa anunsyo ng mga alkalde ng 17 LGUs sa NCR. #MMDA #WalangPasok

Posted by MMDA on Thursday, September 21, 2023

Batangas

• Agoncillo – all levels, public and private (shift to modular distance learning)
• Balayan – all levels, public and private
• Balete  – all levels, public and private
• Calaca – all levels, public and private (shift to modular distance learning)
• Calatagan – all levels, public and private
• Lemery – all levels, public and private (shift to modular distance learning)
• Lian – all levels, public and private
• Nasugbu – all levels, public and private
• San Nicolas – all levels, public and private (shift to modular distance learning)
• Taal – all levels, public and private (shift to modular distance learning)
• Tanauan City – all levels, public and private
• Tuy – elementary, junior and senior high school, public and private

Cavite

• Alfonso – all levels, public and private
• Amadeo – all levels, public and private
• Bacoor City – all levels, public and private
• Carmona City – all levels, public and private
• Cavite City – all levels, public and private
• Damariñas City – all levels, public and private
• General Emilio Aguinaldo (Bailen) – all levels, public and private
• General Mariano Alvarez – all levels, public and private (shift to modular distance learning)
• General Trias – all levels, public and private
• Imus – all levels, public and private
• Indang – all levels, public and private
• Kawit – all levels, public and private
• Magallanes – all levels, public and private
• Maragondon – all levels, public and private
• Mendez – all levels, public and private
• Naic – all levels, public and private
• Noveleta – all levels, public and private
• Rosario – all levels, public and private
• Silang – all levels, public and private
• Tagaytay City – all levels, public and private
• Tanza – all levels, public and private
• Ternate – all levels, public and private
• Trece Martires – all levels, public and private

Laguna

• Biñan – all levels, public and private
• Cabuyao – all levels, public and private
• Los Baños – all levels, public and private
• San Pedro – all levels, public and private
• Sta. Rosa – all levels, public and private

Vog has been affecting the Taal Region since the first week of September 2023 as an average of 3,402 tonnes/day SO2 has been degassed from Taal Volcano for the month.

Vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as SO2 which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract with severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure.

For communities that can be affected by vog, please be mindful of the following:

1. Limit your exposure. Avoid outdoor activities, stay indoors and shut doors and windows to block out vog.

2. Protect yourself. Cover your nose, ideally with an N95 facemask. Drink plenty of water to reduce any throat irritation or constriction. If belonging to the particularly sensitive group of people above, watch over yourself and seek help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if needed, especially If serious effects are experienced.

In addition, acid rain can be generated during periods of rainfall and volcanic gas emission over areas where the plume disperses, causing damage to crops and affecting metal roofs of houses and buildings.

DOST-PHIVOLCS reminds the public that Alert Level 1 prevails over Taal Volcano, which means that it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor ceased the threat of eruptive activity.

— The Summit Express