DepEd condoles with families of five students killed in Baguio landslide

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday expressed its deepest sympathies after the death of five learners due to a landslide in Baguio City.

These include elementary, junior high and Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners who lost their lives in the landslide during the continuous rains at Barangay Guisad Surong.

In a statement, the agency extended its condolences to the bereaved families and friends of the victims.

“With deep sorrow, we mourn the young lives lost: two Grade 7 learners from Guisad Valley National High School; one Grade 3 learner and one Grade 4 learner from Bonifacio Elementary School; and one learner under the Alternative Learning System (ALS),” the DepEd said.

“We ask the entire education community to join us in keeping the families, the victims, and the Cordillera region in our prayers.”

Damaged schools

The agency assured full assessment of damage to school structures to uphold the safety of learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel nationwide.

“We are also assessing damaged school infrastructure, focusing on slope protection to ensure campus safety,” it said.

As of 8 a.m., the DepEd-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said the schools with reported damage climbed to 961, with 32 affected by rain-induced landslides.

“Based on rapid damage assessments, 961 schools have reported damages, including 3,297 minor, 1,135 major, and 1,093 totally damaged classrooms,” the DA-DRRMS said.

The DepEd needs about PHP188.551 million in funds for cleanup and repair of damaged classrooms.

Specifically, PHP26.998 million will fund cleanup and clearing operations across 961 schools, while PHP161.553 million will cover minor repairs for 3,297 classrooms.

“As rains persist, class suspensions remain in place while DepEd field offices coordinate with local government units and disaster response agencies to protect our learners and personnel,” the DepEd said.

As of Tuesday, 6,512,872 learners and 284,725 DepEd personnel are now affected by the in-person class suspension in 9,890 public schools across eight regions.

The majority of the in-person class suspensions are in Central Luzon, followed by Ilocos, Mimaropa, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Western Visayas.

On Monday, the DepEd also activated its Education in Emergencies framework through its 4H protocol amid the suspension of in-person classes.

The protocol, which includes "Hinto, Hinga, Hinay, and Hayo,” seeks to ensure learning delivery while upholding learners’ safety and readiness. (PNA)