In response to the ongoing disturbances caused by Mt. Kanlaon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has teamed up with the faculty of La Castellana Elementary School to offer educational support to displaced children in evacuation centers. This initiative, which began on December 6, 2024, in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, aims to maintain the educational continuity of young learners amidst the crisis.
Irene Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson, highlighted that the collaboration between DSWD Field Office 6-Western Visayas and La Castellana’s educators started distributing learning modules to students last Monday. Dumlao emphasized the DSWD’s commitment to addressing the multifaceted needs of disaster-affected communities, extending beyond basic necessities like food and non-food items.
Since the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, local government units have had to suspend regular classes and adapt to alternative learning methods. To address this, temporary learning sessions have been set up as a substitute for traditional schooling. These sessions include face-to-face classes on Mondays and modular learning from Tuesday to Friday.
In addition to educational support, a school-based feeding program has been implemented, providing milk to the students to ensure their health is maintained during these challenging times. Dumlao stressed the importance of these efforts in supporting not only the academic progress of the children but also their emotional well-being.
The DSWD has provided PHP70 million in humanitarian aid to the families affected by the volcanic unrest, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to disaster response and recovery.