DepEd seeks P135 million to repair schools hit by Maymay, ‘habagat’

More than PHP135 million in response and intervention funds is needed to clean up and repair schools affected by the combined effects of Tropical Cyclone Maymay and the southwest monsoon, or “habagat", the Department of Education (DepEd) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said on Monday.

This comes after 722 schools have incurred damage in various regions, with the highest number reported in the Ilocos Region.

In terms of the number of damaged classrooms, Ilocos was followed by Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Cagayan Valley.

“In response, the DepEd DRRMS initiated the processing of CUCO (clean-up and clearing operation) and MR (minor repair) funds for the repair of damaged classrooms and cleaning and clearing operations to support learning continuity,” it said.

In particular, the agency said PHP20.418 million in funds is needed for the clean-up and clearing operations.

Moreover, about PHP115.395 million is also needed for the minor repairs.

“The Department of Education remains committed to ensuring the safety, well-being, and continuous learning of all students and staff,” the DepEd-DRRM said.

As of 8 a.m., at least 751 classrooms were heavily damaged, based on the agency’s supplemental report.

The rapid assessment also reported 818 classrooms sustained extensive damage, while 2,355 classrooms incurred minimal damage.

Class suspensions

The DepEd-DRRMS, meanwhile, said 6,517,252 learners are now affected by the in-person class suspension in 10,029 public schools across eight regions.

Out of 61 affected divisions, Central Luzon recorded the most school suspensions at 3,546.

Ilocos followed, with the temporary halt for face-to-face classes in 2,428 schools; CAR, 1,842; Metro Manila, 827; Calabarzon, 623; Mimaropa, 608; Cagayan Valley, 92; and Western Visayas, 63.

Overall, 288,967 teaching and non-teaching personnel in DepEd are also affected.

-Stephanie Sevillano/Philippine News Agency