MANILA, Philippines — Concerned about education continuity, President Marcos said that the government is finding ways to address the prolonged class suspensions due to weather disruptions.
“The youth will be shortchanged if they are forced to not attend classes,” Marcos said after a meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara, for his part, gave assurance of immediate support for Department of Education (DepEd) personnel and schools affected by the combined effects of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong and the monsoon.
“We will not abandon our schools, teachers and students amid the calamity. We will do everything to ensure their immediate recovery so that they can continue to provide education,” Angara said.
He said the President is concerned with both education continuity and the welfare of learners and personnel affected by the calamity.
For the affected schools, DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) has initiated the release of response funds to support urgent cleaning and clearing operations.
Schools have also been instructed to activate contingency plans, safeguard learning materials and equipment and coordinate with local disaster councils.
He said the DepEd is also collaborating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the utilization of Quick Response Funds (QRF) in affected schools, in line with government efforts to streamline post-disaster infrastructure response.
Angara said additional assistance may also be provided through the National Indemnity Insurance Program, which offers comprehensive insurance protection to public school buildings against fire, lightning and natural calamities.
Meanwhile, teachers and staff in calamity-declared areas may avail themselves of DepEd’s Provident Fund loan, while the department’s Human Resource units are ready to assist in processing Government Service Insurance System calamity loans and applications for a 30-day Calamity Leave.
The DepEd said in cases of disaster-related injuries or fatalities, personnel can file claims under the GSIS-issued Group Personal Accident Insurance policy. This covers accidental death or dismemberment up to P100,000, and medical reimbursements up to P30,000 for accident-related treatment.
With at least 3,201 classrooms affected by various typhoons and the southwest monsoon, the DepEd reported that the country is already facing at least 165,000 shortage of classrooms.
Based on the latest report of the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service on the impact of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante and Emong and the southwest monsoon, the affected classrooms include 1,876 classrooms with minor damage, 562 with major damage, 53l that are destroyed and 232 damaged hygiene facilities.
The DepEd added that at least 270 schools in 10 regions are still being used as evacuation centers as the heavy rains and floods continue to affect most parts of the country.
According to the DepEd, those affected include 738 classrooms in Cordillera Administrative Region; 732 classrooms in Ilocos Region; 227 in Central Luzon; 221 in Negros Island, 204 each in Mimaropa and Calabarzon Region 4-A, 184 classrooms in Western Visayas, 134 in the National Capital Region, 114 in the Zamboanga Peninsula, 108 in Bicol, 77 in Central Visayas, 22 in Eastern Visayas and two classrooms in Northern Mindanao.
The government has also implemented suspension of classes in Metro Manila and many provinces since July 21 amid the massive flooding which affected at least 24,648 schools.
“DepEd-DRRMS remains vigilant in monitoring developments and coordinating efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of learners, teachers and school communities,” DepEd said.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday urged DepEd to fast-track the repair of classrooms damaged by the recent typhoons and monsoon rains.
“We must prioritize making our classrooms and school buildings climate-resilient, not just to protect lives, but to break the costly cycle of repair and reconstruction every time disaster strikes,” Gatchalian said.
“Investing in resilient infrastructure now will save resources, safeguard learning, and ensure continuity in education,” he added.A Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) study showed that longer and more frequent school closures result in significant decline in test scores of students.
The EDCOM 2 added that one day of closure when school is used as an evacuation center is equivalent to losing half a year of math and science.
It added that based on data of the DepEd from 2019 to 2023, at least 60,177 classrooms and 76 million learning resources were damaged due to disasters.
From 2015 to 2025 the cost of damage to school furniture and learning resources reached P105 billion while at least 7,130 classrooms were used as evacuation centers per school year from 2014 to 2019.
“In 2024, up to 35 school days were lost due to climate-related class suspensions,” the EDCOM 2 added. – Alexis Romero, Marc Jayson Cayabyab