CLASSES on Friday were suspended in several areas of Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna due to the volcanic smog from Taal Volcano.

The affected areas are the following:

BATANGAS

Alitagtag —all levels, public and private
Balayan —all levels, public and private
Calatagan —all levels, public and private
Lian — all levels, public and private
Lemery — all levels, public and private
Nasugbu —all levels, public and private
Taal —all levels, public and private
Tanauan —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
Cavite City —all levels, public and private
City of Carmona —all levels, public and private
Dasmariñas City —all levels, public and private
GMA —all levels, public and private
General Trias  —all levels, public and private
Imus City —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 City —all levels, public and private

LAGUNA

Los Baños —all levels, public and private

San Pedro —all levels, public and private

Local government units in Metro Manila also canceled classes as smog enveloped the capital region.

However, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the smog was not due to Taal.

“It may be inferred that the smog may be primarily attributed to emissions from heavy vehicular traffic, especially during rush hour,” the DENR said.

“Air quality varies in time and place and can change anytime depending on pollution sources and meteorological factors,” it added.

In its report on Thursday afternoon, PHIVOLCS said volcanic smog or vog has been observed over Taal Lake since 12:30 p.m.

Volcanic smog has been affecting the Taal Region since the first week of September. An average of 3,402 tons of sulfur dioxide or SO2 per day have been degassed from the volcano for the month, PHIVOLCS said.

In its report on Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said volcanic smog or vog has been observed over Taal Lake since 12:30 p.m.

Volcanic smog has been affecting the Taal Region since the first week of September. An average of 3,402 tons of sulfur dioxide or SO2 per day have been degassed from the volcano for the month, PHIVOLCS said.

”As a reminder, 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,” PHIVOLCS said.

”People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women and children,” it added.

PHIVOLCS issued the following tips on how to deal with volcanic smog:

(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 you belong 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.

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

Taal Volcano is still under Alert Level 1, which indicates that it is still in an abnormal state.