Mayon ashfall affects 63,000 Students

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May 17, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 63,000 students in Albay have been displaced by ashfall from Mayon Volcano, according to an official of the Department of Education.

DepEd Undersecretary for operations Malcolm Garma said that among areas in the province, Ligao City is the most affected by ashfall, which continued until Friday.

Garma said that DepEd’s disaster risk reduction and management service is coordinating with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, particularly in disseminating information in affected areas.

“We released P3.7 million to be used in the cleaning operation (of affected schools),” Garma said, noting that two schools are being used as evacuation centers for displaced residents.

He said that although students are taking their summer vacation now, the agency still distributed education kits, which also contained face masks and other first aid items aside from learning materials.

He said that necessary preparations are being done as classes will start on June 8.