On August 20, 2024, classes in 41 local government units (LGUs) across three provinces and the National Capital Region (NCR) were suspended due to volcanic smog (vog) from Taal Volcano. The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that affected areas included 25 LGUs in Batangas, 11 in Cavite, three in Laguna, and the cities of Muntinlupa and Las Piñas in Metro Manila.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the vog formed due to the lack of strong winds to disperse the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Taal Volcano. While there is no immediate threat of an eruption, with Taal remaining under Alert Level 1, Phivolcs urged residents, particularly students and the elderly, to wear face masks as a precautionary measure.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol explained that sulfur dioxide emissions measured on August 15 were relatively low at 3,355 tons per day, which is not considered highly significant. However, the slow wind speeds in the Batangas area caused the SO2 to linger, leading to vog formation. Bacolcol added that the haze observed in Metro Manila might be smog, caused by local pollutants, rather than volcanic smog.
DepEd instructed schools in the affected areas to implement modular or online learning as a temporary solution. The department emphasized that lifting the suspension would depend on the safety conditions for learners and teachers, following guidance from health and disaster risk management authorities.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed that the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) first reported the presence of vog on Sunday evening, August 19, at around 7 p.m. Residents in nearby areas reported experiencing throat irritation, eye discomfort, and difficulty breathing.
The affected areas in Batangas include Balete, Balayan, Malvar, Laurel, San Jose, Mataas na Kahoy, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Nasugbu, Lemery, Lian, Talisay, San Luis, Alitagtag, Calaca City, San Pascual, Calatagan, Tuy, Cuenca, Sta. Teresita, Bauan, San Juan, Taal, Padre Garcia, and Ibaan. Meanwhile, the suspension also covered Silang, Mendez, Indang, Alfonso, GMA, Carmona, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Amadeo, Maragondon, Naic, and Carmona in Cavite, as well as Calamba, Biñan, and Los Baños in Laguna.
Authorities continue to monitor air quality levels in the affected areas and will provide updates as conditions improve.