As it continues to gather data from the field, the Department of Education (DepEd) noted an increase in the number of schools affected by the Abra quake as well as in the estimated amount needed by the agency for the repair and reconstruction of these damaged schools.
DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) has been monitoring the schools after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Abra and neighboring provinces on July 27.
Available data of Aug. 5 showed that 674 schools are affected from six regions in Luzon. DepEd DRRMS also gathers data on infrastructure and non-infrastructure damages and casualties in schools in the affected areas.
Based on the reports, DepEd noted that 456 schools sustained damages. Of this number, 1,476 classrooms were partially damaged while 624 classrooms were completely damaged by the earthquake.
DepEd said that the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recorded the highest number of affected schools with 394, followed by Region I (Ilocos Region) with 164, and Region II (Cagayan Valley) with 75 affected schools.
The estimated cost of repairing and rebuilding classrooms and other infrastructure damaged by the earthquake already went up to P2.298 billion, DepEd said.
Meanwhile, 24 schools are currently being used as Evacuation Centers in the affected areas.
Currently, the DepEd --- through DRRMS --- continues to coordinate with field coordinators and other related agencies for updates. The agency also assists affected students, teachers, and staff.
In a recent press conference, DepEd eyes to put up Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) for the students affected by the Abra quake.
If constraints remain by the time schools open on Aug. 22, the agency plans to implement alternative learning delivery modes for students in the affected areas to ensure learning continuity.
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