DepEd: Over 9,500 classrooms damaged by Habagat, cyclone flooding

More than 9,500 classrooms nationwide have sustained damage from the enhanced Southwest Monsoon and recent tropical cyclones, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday.

Based on DepEd’s latest assessment, 1,594 schools were affected, with 9,597 classrooms sustaining minor to major damage.

Central Luzon bore the biggest share of the damage, accounting for 3,596 affected classrooms across 412 schools. The region also reported 126,584 affected learners.

Within Central Luzon, Pampanga recorded the highest number of damaged classrooms at 1,689, followed by Bulacan with 933.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department’s priority is to keep students and teachers safe while minimizing disruptions to learning.

“Unang-una sa lahat, ang marching order ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ay siguraduhing ligtas ang ating mga mag-aaral at guro, habang binabawasan natin ang abala sa kanilang pag-aaral,” Angara said.

(First and foremost, the marching orders of President Bongbong Marcos is to ensure the safety of our students and teachers while minimizing disruptions to their studies.)

DepEd said it initially needs P318.01 million for minor repairs and cleanup of the 1,594 affected schools nationwide.

For Central Luzon alone, the department identified P109.71 million in immediate response needs for 412 requesting schools, including P12.69 million for debris cleanup and sanitation and P97.02 million for minor repairs involving 1,980 classrooms.

DepEd said it is tapping its Disaster Preparedness and Response Program fund and a special budget request to the Department of Budget and Management. It is also coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment to use the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program for school cleanup and clearing.

P2.6 billion needed for major repairs, reconstruction

Beyond immediate repairs, DepEd estimated P2.604 billion in major repair and reconstruction requirements nationwide.

This includes P359 million for major repairs in 718 schools and P2.245 billion for the reconstruction of 898 schools.

The weather disturbances also damaged 23,154 self-learning modules, prompting regional and division offices to undertake emergency reprinting and procurement.

In Tarlac City, DepEd said alternative learning delivery under its Project Rescue literacy recovery program has supported 65,734 learners in flood-affected schools.

Schools in Central Luzon experienced as many as 12 lost instructional days, particularly in Pampanga and Zambales.

To manage learning disruptions, DepEd said schools are implementing its “4H” framework under DepEd Order No. 014, s. 2026: Hinto (stop classes due to safety risks), Hinga (check-in, reduced load and psychological support), Hinay (ease-in and flexible learning), and Hayo (continue learning).

DepEd is also proposing an updated executive order on class suspensions and resumptions to replace EO No. 66, s. 2012.

Under the proposed policy, class suspensions would follow a three-tier system covering automatic, localized and granular suspensions. It would also allow school-level resumption of in-person classes when an individual campus is deemed safe, even if a wider citywide suspension remains in effect, subject to safety assessments and concurrence from the local government unit.

Meanwhile, affected DepEd personnel may access up to P150,000 through the DepEd Provident Fund Loan, as well as GSIS emergency and calamity loan facilities. Flexible work and work-from-home arrangements also remain in place in affected divisions. — BM, GMA News