Kanlaon Eruption Leaves Schools Short of Classrooms

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas Regional Director Raul Fernandez confirmed that local government units affected by the continuing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano must contend with a lack of classrooms once classes start this month.

“Yes, we acknowledge the lack of classrooms in Kanlaon-affected areas,” Fernandez told the Daily Guardian on Friday.

He said the Regional Task Force Kanlaon is scheduling a meeting on June 10, 2025, with the Department of Education and concerned LGUs to discuss solutions to the problem.

This comes as some schools continue to serve as evacuation centers for residents displaced by the volcanic activity.

DepEd Negros Island Region Director Ramir Uytico said the department will do its best to continue learning engagements with students displaced by the eruption.

Uytico added that school officials in affected areas must ensure that learners continue their studies, even if it is not in a perfect learning environment.

Students in areas affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental could find themselves without classrooms when classes open on June 16.

One proposed solution is to implement morning and afternoon class shifts in schools currently used as evacuation centers.

Uytico admitted the Kanlaon eruption presents a major challenge for the Department of Education, especially in continuing the education of students staying in evacuation sites.

Each school division in affected communities, along with the DepEd regional office, has formulated contingency plans to address the challenges caused by the eruption, he added.

Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson for the DepEd division office, said enrollment in public schools in areas near Kanlaon Volcano, particularly in La Castellana, has already begun.

He said the enrollment data will determine how many learning spaces need to be opened when classes resume on June 16.