DepEd eyes major repairs in Masbate schools to finish by December 2025, early 2026

Following the onslaught of Typhoon Opong, most of the major repair works in schools in Masbate are expected to be completed between December 2025 and February 2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday.

The DepEd made the statement as it reported that repairs of two of the most affected schools are near completion.

“At Nursery Elementary School, minor repair of damaged roofs, ceilings, and electrical wirings has already reached 100 percent completion, while school building repairs are at 40 to 45 percent completed,” the DepEd said in a statement.

“At Masbate Comprehensive National High School, multi-story buildings and other structures are between 30 to 90 percent finished,” it added.

According to DepEd, Opong damaged 1,651 classrooms, most in Masbate City, with P1.079 billion worth of losses.

The agency has downloaded P14.4 million to the Schools Division Offices of Masbate and Masbate City for repairs and has requested an additional P23.4 million to sustain ongoing rehabilitation.

The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service also allocated 20 temporary learning spaces to accommodate students from schools still under repair.

Meanwhile, funding for the replacement of totally damaged classrooms is being programmed under the Basic Education Facilities Fund 2026 and the Quick Response Fund (QRF) 2026.

“Gusto nating matiyak na tuloy ang pag-aaral kahit tinamaan ng bagyo, at mas handa tayo sa mga darating pang sakuna,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who led the inspection on the agency’s recovery efforts in Masbate on Monday.

(We want to ensure that education continues despite the effects of the storm, and that we are better prepared for future disasters.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News