With thousands of schools destroyed in the aftermath of typhoon Odette, the Department of Education (DepEd) assured that funds are available for repair and other related activities.
As of Jan. 12, DepEd has recorded 11 affected regions, 121 divisions, 29,671 schools, and 12,029,272 learners due to the onslaught of typhoon Odette.
“We assure our stakeholders that immediate funding for interventions in the affected regions shall be delivered as soon as possible,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
According to its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Service (DRRMS), the DepEd Central Office also facilitated the downloading of P3.6 million for clean-up and minor repairs.
Meanwhile, DepEd said support funds amounting to P10.2 million were also allocated for response interventions to affected regions.
“The support funds can be used for the procurement of learners’ and teachers’ kits with hygiene items, provision of psychological first aid, and emergency school feeding programs,” DepEd said.
To obtain data on infrastructure and non-infrastructure damages in affected regions, divisions, and schools, the DepEd --- through the DRRMS --- also activated the Rapid Assessment of Damages Report (RADaR).
Based on the latest data, DepEd Region V (Bicol), VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), VIII (Eastern Visayas), and XIII (CARAGA) were identified as “hard-hit regions.”
DepEd said that these regional offices have already initiated efforts to assist in their respective areas by conducting psychological first aid sessions and identifying schools for possible evacuations --- among others.