Several schools in Batangas shifted to modular distance learning due to the presence of volcanic smog or vog from Taal Volcano.
Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BPDRRMC) on Friday, Sept. 8, reported that at least 36 students from Barangay Bayorbor in Mataas na Kahoy on Friday, Sept. 8, experienced chest pain and difficulty in breathing.
“[Naitala] ang may kabuuang 36 na mga mag-aaral mula sa Bayorbor, Mataas na Kahoy na nakaranas ng pananakit ng dibdib at hirap sa paghinga, na iniugnay sa pagkahilo,” the provincial information office said in a release.
“Ayon sa nakalap na report ng konseho mula sa Municipal DRRM Office ng Mataas na Kahoy, dinala ang mga estudyante sa magkakahiwalay na ospital. 11 sa mga ito ang dinala sa Community Hospital ng nasabing bayan at 25 ang nasa Rural Health Unit,” it added.
Some eight students were transferred to nearby hospitals while 17 were sent home.
Based on the latest bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) monitored vog from the volcano since Wednesday.
Phivolcs explained that vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as sulfur dioxide which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract.
Taal remains under Alert Level 1 or “low-level unrest”.
Residents were advised to wear N95 masks or gas masks to reduce the exposure to vog. CF/PTV News
