THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged national government authorities and local government units in the vicinity of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental to take steps to speed up normalization of classes for displaced students due to continuing volcanic activity.
The commission said the prolonged interruption of classes has become a “serious concern” as there is no sign that they will be able to return to regular lessons in the coming days or weeks.
According to figures from the Department of Education (DepEd) as of July 2025, there were at least 1,403 learners and personnel from the Schools Division Offices of Canlaon and La Castellana in Negros Occidental who were directly affected and displaced by Kanlaon’s eruption.
With the displaced communities still taking shelter in campuses and school buildings, the chances of holding classes have been pushed back further.
“This ongoing hazard has forced the suspension of regular classes, compelled the use of classrooms as evacuation centers and temporary shelters, and created significant challenges in ensuring learning continuity,” the CHR pointed out.
Even as assistance to evacuees is attended to, the commission said efforts must be made to address the impact of the crisis on the fundamental right to education and other risks faced by displaced children.
“In particular, children with disabilities face heightened barriers in times of disaster and displacement—whether in accessing inclusive learning modalities, receiving psychosocial support, or ensuring accessibility of evacuation sites and temporary learning spaces. A disability-inclusive response is therefore crucial to guarantee that no child is left behind,” the commission noted.
On the other hand, the CHR likewise recognized the efforts of the DepEd in supporting alternative delivery modes and partnerships with local governments, saying these initiatives reflect the shared commitment to uphold the right to education despite the challenges of displacement.
“However, such measures fall short without adequate shelter, sustained food assistance, and psychosocial support, all of which are essential foundations for effective and meaningful learning,” the CHR said.
Under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the State bears the primary responsibility to provide protection and humanitarian assistance—requiring not only decisive and sustained action, but also a holistic, whole-of-government approach that integrates the specific needs of children, including those with disabilities, for comprehensive and coordinated responses.
“CHR further enjoins national and local governments, humanitarian actors, civil society, and displaced communities themselves to work together in safeguarding the rights and dignity of internally displaced children. Protecting their education, alongside their safety, accessibility, security, and overall well-being, must remain a paramount concern,” it added.
