Floodwaters have yet to subside at two public schools in Calasiao, Pangasinan, forcing students and teachers to wade through waterlogged grounds as authorities continue efforts to address long-standing drainage issues.

Upon entering Buenlag National High School, pools of stagnant water greet anyone walking through the campus. Old tires lined up along the pathway serve as makeshift walkways for teachers and students to reach their classrooms.

Since the day was declared a local holiday, some students took the chance to play in the flooded area, which looked more like a small fishpond.

Grade 8 student Lance Doria Narnola said he hopes classes won’t resume too soon.

“Sa Monday na lang po, para mabawasan pa ‘yung baha diyan,” he said.

Cesar Bucsit, Public Affairs Unit Head of DepEd Region 1, assured that the safety of both teachers and learners remains their top concern.

“Ang priority po kasi ng DepEd ay ang safety and security ng mga guro at siyempre ng ating mga mag-aaral,” Bucsit said.

The situation is even worse at the Buenlag Central School nearby where floodwaters have turned the campus into what residents described as a “river resort.”

School officials said the area has long suffered from flooding due to poor drainage.

Kristine Joy Soriano, spokesperson of the Calasiao Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they are coordinating with education officials to adjust learning modalities.

“Patuloy po ang pakikipag-coordinate po natin sa kanila thru their District Supervisor. ‘Yung iba, nag-shift to modular distance learning,” she said.

Bucsit added that teachers often conduct make-up classes once the floods subside.

“Ang kadalasan na ginagawa ng ating kaguruan kapag may bagyo o kalamidad ay nagkakaroon sila ng make-up classes sa panahon na humupa na ang baha,” he explained.

In another school, the roof of the gymnasium at Banaoaang Elementary School was damaged by Super Typhoon #UwanPH, but classrooms were spared.

Students are set to return to school after almost two weeks of class suspension, which began during the wellness break.