Stress debriefing, therapy main focus when classes start in CDO, Iligan on Tuesday

Stress debriefing and play therapy will be the primary focus of schools when classes in the storm-wrecked cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in northern Mindanao start on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012.   “We have to respond to the immediate needs of both teachers and students and for now, it is important that we introduce activities that will bring back normalcy in their lives,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro in a news release posted on the Official Gazette website on Monday.   Luistro said there will be adjustments, with some schools that cannot hold regular classes yet to use alternative delivery mode of lessons. He did not elaborate.   Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities were among the areas hit hardest by tropical storm Sendong (Washi) last month. The storm left more than 1,000 dead and P1 billion in damage to property, making it the worst in the country in 12 years.   Final list   Luistro said the Department of Education (DepEd) is now making the final list of schools being used as evacuation centers.   “We have agreed with our counterparts in the Department of Social Welfare and Development that if our schools are still needed by evacuees we will hold classes in temporary learning spaces including the use of tents provided by UNICEF, Plan International and Save the Children, among others. While there are shortages in tents, donations are still coming in,” he said.   Meanwhile, Luistro expressed its appreciation to parents, military, police, students, non-government organizations, and evacuees themselves for helping in the cleanup of schools to prepare them for classes on Jan. 3.   “What we see here is an off-season Brigada Eskwela where every concerned citizen pitches in to bring back order in schools and in the community,” he said.   Bishop offers parish   The DepEd said Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma has offered his parish for temporary relocation while the Jesuit-run Xavier University said it has five hectares in Lumbia also for relocation.   It added the Cagayan de Oro city local government has made available another 3.5 hectares as relocation site.   “This is a welcome development and slowly, internally-displaced residents are moving on to rebuild lives in relocation sites,” said Luistro. — KBK, GMA News