THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said it has mobilized at least PHP3.72 million in clean-up and clearing funds and prepositioned thousands of learning and safety supplies to aid schools affected by Mayon Volcano’s ashfall in Albay province.

“Patuloy nating pinakikilos ang lahat ng kinakailangang suporta para mapanatiling ligtas ang ating mga mag-aaral, guro, at paaralan habang nagpapatuloy ang banta ng pag-aalburuto ng Bulkang Mayon (We are continuously mobilizing all necessary support to ensure the safety of our learners, teachers, and schools despite the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano),” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

The DepEd has prepositioned 850 all-weather learning kits or “EduKahon,” N95 face masks, hygiene supplies, printers, paper, disinfectants, alcohol, tissues, and other classroom materials for affected schools.

Virtual learning and teaching kits worth PHP20,000 per school have also been made available through partner organizations, including People in Need.

“Kasabay ng agarang pagresponde at paghahatid ng mga learning at emergency supplies, tinitiyak din nating hindi napuputol ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan (Alongside the immediate response and delivery of learning and emergency supplies, we are assuring that the learning of our youth will remain unhampered),” Angara said.

The DepEd has also activated Batang Empowered and Resilient Team (BERT) modules and psychosocial first aid interventions to help affected learners cope with the impact of the volcanic unrest while ensuring learning continuity in evacuation areas and nearby communities.

As of May 5, two schools in Camalig, Albay—Tagaytay Elementary School and Bariw Elementary School—are serving as evacuation centers for 172 families or 603 individuals, including 53 learners and 10 DepEd personnel.

A total of 24 classrooms are being used to house evacuees.

Overall, 133 schools were affected by ashfall from Mayon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 3. (PNA)