DepEd releases P121Mfor Bicol schools damaged by ‘Kristine’

By Marlon Atun

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- The Department of Education has mobilized a rehabilitation fund amounting to P121.8 million for the repair of schools damaged by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) that hit the Bicol region last month, Education Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad said.

Last Friday, Nov. 8, Sadsad said the amount would be used to repair damaged classrooms, purchase replacements for severely damaged classroom equipment, set up temporary learning spaces, and acquire learning materials.

Of the P121.8-million allocation, P30,758,000 was allocated for a clean-up drive in classrooms affected by floods; P17,472,334 for constructing and setting up of temporary learning spaces where classrooms are currently being used as evacuation centers; P48,099,408 for minor classroom repairs; and P25,567,378 for temporary water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

These funds were drawn from the department’s disaster risk reduction (DRR) budget and have already been disbursed to the school’s division offices of provinces and cities, Sadsad said.

The Schools Division of Naga City received the largest share of the budget, totaling P66,861,121; followed by Camarines Norte with P36,432,000; and Catanduanes with P7,164,000.

Camarines Sur received P7,155,000.00; Sorsogon City received P2,316,000; Iriga City received P1,267,378; and the cities of Legazpi and Masbate City received P75,000 each.

Based on DepEd’s partial assessments, the total reported damage from 520 schools in the region was at P299.67 million.

Also, DepEd Bicol reported a total of 23,261 pieces of damaged school furniture, 603871 damaged learning materials, and 2,708 damaged computers.

Ligao City recorded the fewest damaged school furniture, with only 98 pieces, while Iriga City reported no damage to any computers.

Currently, DepEd Bicol is focusing on the rehabilitation and restoration of school facilities, constructing temporary learning facilities, and conducting clean-up drives in all schools impacted by Kristine.

Mayflor Marie Jumamil, DepEd information officer for Bicol, noted that some classrooms are still being used as temporary shelters for families displaced by Kristine. (PIA5)

One of the flooded classrooms in Bicol during the Typhoon Kristine.