Schools used as BICs damaged, defaced

CEBU, Philippines —  Most schools in Cebu City that have been used as barangay isolation centers (BICs) for COVID-19 patients were found to have incurred damages and vandals with some items stolen.

These were some of the findings noted by the COVID-19 decontamination teams of the Department of Education-Cebu City Division that inspected the facilities, as disclosed by Cebu City Public School Teachers Association president Remus Mariñas.

The division created its own decontamination teams instead of waiting for the Department of Health or City Health Department to do the decontamination as the opening of classes is already set for October 5.

According to the division, it understands that DOH and CCHD personnel are already overworked.

Cebu City used schools as isolation centers, especially when the number of COVID-19 cases shot up. With the flattening of the curve, schools are no longer being used as BICs and DepEd is already able to decontaminate.

Right now, only two schools are being used as BICs -- Mambaling Elementary School for the south district and Zapatera Elementary School for the north district.

During decontamina-tion, the teams found out that there are more works to be done aside from decontaminating.

Mariñas, a member of one of the decontamination teams, said they found out that there were some things that have been stolen while others had damages, though just minimal.

“Minimal ra pud nuon and tolerable ra ang damages or maybe nakaingon mi ani kay nag-expect na daan ang in-charge sa classroom,” said Mariñas.

Most of those that saw damages were comfort rooms of the schools and doorknobs.

“Mostly, kanang clogging sa CR ug mga nabungkag nga mga gamit sa classroom,” said Mariñas.

Aside from the damages and alleged stolen items, there were also traces of vandalism in the school premises.

Mariñas said the schools will have to need budget to repaint the vandalized areas. — JMD (FREEMAN)