Kanlaon Volcano Eruption Creates Classroom Shortage
As the June 16 school opening nears, the Kanlaon Volcano eruption continues to cause a shortage of classrooms in Negros Occidental. Many schools, especially in La Castellana town, are still being used as evacuation centers for displaced families. This ongoing issue directly affects the education of thousands of students.
Currently, about 2,448 families remain in evacuation centers more than a year after the June 3, 2024 eruption, local officials said. The law states that schools used as shelters should only be occupied for 15 days, after which local governments must present relocation plans. However, implementing this is proving difficult.
Relocation Plans and Education Disruptions
The La Castellana municipal government has proposed three relocation options, but final arrangements are still pending. Schools are closely monitoring the situation to adjust class schedules accordingly. If no relocation occurs before classes start, temporary classrooms will again be set up within evacuation centers.
“For humanitarian reasons, we cannot just evict people without a place to go,” a Department of Education spokesperson explained. This situation forces schools to serve as temporary homes, compromising students’ learning conditions.
Impact on Students and Schools
Almost 9,000 students from La Castellana Elementary, Don Felix Robles Elementary, and La Castellana National High School are affected. Other nearby schools with displaced students include Cabagna-an Elementary and Sag-ang Integrated School. The shortage of classrooms is critical, with fewer rooms available in schools located in danger zones.
To cope, schools implement shifting schedules and rely mostly on distance learning with limited face-to-face classes. However, this affects the quality of education. Some partners have provided canopy-style temporary learning spaces, yet these are hot, dusty, and uncomfortable—far from ideal.
Temporary Solutions and Ongoing Challenges
Last year’s canopy classrooms only accommodate 14 students at a time, splitting teachers’ attention and reducing learning effectiveness. Until permanent relocation plans are in place, schools must manage with these temporary fixes.
Local authorities face pressure to find better solutions. The municipal government has requested 30 family tents to ease the situation, while officials consider using bamboo or native materials to build more suitable temporary classrooms.
Evacuation Center Updates and Volcanic Activity
The number of displaced families has slightly decreased as those outside the six-kilometer Extended Danger Zone have returned home. Still, around 2,400 families remain sheltered in 23 evacuation centers across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Volcanic activity remains a concern. On June 2, a 29-minute ash emission occurred alongside numerous volcanic earthquakes, prompting thin ashfall in nearby barangays. Authorities continue to monitor residents’ movements within the danger zone to ensure safety.
Looking Ahead: Permanent Solutions Needed
The eruption’s first anniversary on June 3 reminds officials of the ongoing risks and challenges. Local leaders and disaster management teams are reviewing permanent evacuation and resettlement sites in affected towns and cities.
Until these plans materialize, students and displaced families face uncertainty. “In the end, we have no choice. We have to embrace reality and work our way according to that reality,” a local education official said.
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