1,000 schools in Mindanao need P3.3 billion for rehab

MANILA,Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) needs over P3.3 billion to rehabilitate more than 1,000 schools that collapsed or sustained major damage following the series of earthquakes that struck parts of Mindanao last month.

Latest data showed that 1,060 schools from four regions sustained major damage after the magnitude 6.6 and magnitude 6.5 temblors on Oct. 29 and Oct. 31, respectively.

The affected schools had more than 663,000 enrolled students, many of whom are presently holding classes in temporary learning spaces established by the DepEd.

Most of the damaged schools were reported in Region 12 with 680, followed by Region 11 with 277, Region 10 with 82 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with 21.

Another 120 schools sustained non-infrastructure damage, specifically furniture, learning materials and computer sets.

The agency said it would require almost P2.7 billion for the reconstruction of schools that were destroyed, and another P657.5 million for the rehabilitation of those that sustained major damage.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones had earlier said the DepEd had requested for funds from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as the department’s Quick Response Fund had already been depleted.

The DepEd said it has released over P90 million worth of assistance to affected personnel and students, including for the establishment of temporary learning spaces, and clean-up and minor repairs.

The agency added that it has so far established 757 temporary learning spaces in 189 schools that were affected by the quake.

As of Tuesday, some 5,600 learners and 2,000 DepEd personnel have been provided with psychological first aid to help them cope with the impact of the disasters.

More than P9 million has also been allotted for emergency feeding programs for learners in Digos City in Davao del Sur and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.

At least 58 schools were still being used as evacuation centers as of Tuesday, according to the DepEd.