15 Luzon schools damaged by quake -DepEd

Over a dozen public schools in Luzon were affected by the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that rocked Central Luzon and Metro Manila last Monday, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

A report by Lei Alviz on Unang Balita on Wednesday said Mataas na Paaralang Neptali Gonzales and Ilaya Barangka Integrated High School, both in Mandaluyong City, sustained cracks on its walls.

Cracks were also seen on the walls of a building in Dr Sixto Antonio Elementary School and in Nagpayong High School in Pasig City.

In Cupang Senior High School in Muntinlupa City, small cracks were also seen in one of the buildings, prompting an inspection from the City Engineering Office.

"In-assess po nila ang according to them mild lang naman yung naging damage sa building," said school official Yuri Quesadaguro.

"Parang hindi naman ikakabahala na naapektuhan yung imprastraktura ng building kasi maliliit na cracks lang naman," he added.

Schools in Pampanga, however, sustained more serious damage, like in San Nicolas Integrated School and Sindalan Elementary School in San Fernando; Malusac Elementary School in Sasmuan, and Camias High School.

In Olongapo City, one of the schools affected by the quake was Subic Central Elementary School.

Because of this, the DepEd ordered a thorough assessment of the integrity of the school buildings.

"We are able to monitor and give update report twice a day at dito po namo-monitor natin kung sinu-sinong mga eskwelahan ang kailangan nating i-check ang kanilang structure integrity," said Usec. Annalyn Sevilla.

"Nakikipag-coordinate naman tayo sa mga local government engineers, building officials para po masiguro muna na ang mga eskuwelahan ay safe for use."

Based on the initial report received by DepEd, 15 schools sustained damage as a result of the earthquake.

Damages to school was pegged at P19.5 million. —KBK, GMA News