DepEd: Over 9,800 classrooms damaged by ‘habagat,’ enhanced by cyclones

MANILA, Philippines — Over 9,800 classrooms sustained damage due to the combined effects of the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” enhanced by tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and Obet, according to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) latest situation report.

As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, the assessment covered 5,731 classrooms with minor damage, 2,055 with major damage, and 2,083 totally damaged.

This brings a total of 9,869 damaged classrooms.

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READ: DepEd allows school heads to decide if classes can resume

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Central Luzon recorded the highest number of affected schools at 3,732, followed by Region I with 2,746 and the Cordillera Administrative Region with 1,266.

DepEd estimated that P280 million is needed for minor repairs, P1 billion for major repairs, and P5.2 billion for the reconstruction of affected schools.

DepEd also said that 59 schools experienced flooding, including 47 in Central Luzon.

Meanwhile, 348 schools with 1,309 classrooms are being used as evacuation centers, accommodating 11,320 families.

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DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said it was closely coordinating with field offices to monitor emerging impacts and facilitate the clearing and repair of damaged schools.

The DRRMS also “validates class suspension data through the ‘Walang Pasok’ Monitor.”

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Amid growing concerns over prolonged class suspensions, DepEd earlier proposed giving school heads the authority to determine whether it is safe to resume face-to-face classes during inclement weather.

DepEd submitted a draft executive order to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after three weeks of monsoon rains triggered widespread flooding and landslides. /das