Taal Volcano Island and Taal Lake in Batangas were covered by dense volcanic smog or vog on Monday.

Towns and cities in Batangas experienced thick vog after the volcano emitted around 3,355 tones of sulfur dioxide.

Local government units were forced to suspend face to face classes on Monday in 27 municipalities and 4 cities in Batangas for the health and safety of students and teachers.

According to the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and  Management Office (PDRRMO), the towns that shifted to online learning are Balete, Balayan, Malvar, Laurel, San Jose, Mataasnakahoy, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Nasugbu, Lemery, Lian, Talisay, Alitagtag, San Pasccual, Calatagan, Tuy, Ceunca, Bauan, San Juan, Taal, Padre Garcia, Ibaan, Rosario, Lobo, Mabini, Calaca City, Lipa City, Tanauan City and  Sto. Tomas City.

"Ang lahat po ng munisipalidad ay nakahanda sa N95 mask at gayun din po ang ating  probinsya ng Batangas ay  nakaantabay for augmentation,” said Dr. Amor Calayan, head of the Batangas PDRRMO.

Nurses from Laurel Rural Health Unit distributed N95 masks, multi-vitamins, and allergy medications to 21 villages.

"Hangga’t maaari po kung wala naman gagawin mahalaga sa labas, manatili po sa mga bahay nila, isara ang mga bintana para po hindi pumasok yung smog.  Kung hindi naman po maiwasan ang paglabas kailangan po nakasuot ng mask, tapos kailangan hydrated talaga, inom ng maraming tubig. Mas malala po kahapon, talagang blue na blue ang paligid , hindi po makita si Taal,” said Maylene Reyes, nurse II of the Laurel Rural Health Unit.

Glenda De Leon, a resident of Barangay Gulod, reported having difficulty breathing after she was exposed to vog.

Barangay Gulod Chairman Sancho Rodriguez said that children in their barangay are also experiencing coughs.

While wearing of face masks is not mandatory, authorities encouraged the public to wear them for protection against vog.

Hospitals in Batangas are also on high alert.

This not the first time that Batangas has experienced volcanic smog since Taal volcano erupted in January 2020.