DepEd ramps up disaster response after quake, typhoons
Recovery plans rolled out as quakes and typhoons hit millions of students nationwide
Published Oct 1, 2025 03:39 pm
The Department of Education (DepEd) ramps up disaster response after the 6.9-magnitude Cebu earthquake and Typhoons Nando and Opong, rolling out recovery plans, learning support, and aid for millions of affected students and teachers nationwide. (DepEd / Manila Bulletin / file)
With classrooms damaged and communities reeling from a powerful earthquake in Cebu and back-to-back typhoons, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, October 1, assured that recovery plans will be implemented to ensure learning continuity for millions of affected students.
In a statement, DepEd said it has mobilized immediate assistance to schools and communities hit by recent disasters, including the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu, and the onslaught of Typhoons Nando and Opong.
DepEd added that the disaster response was launched under the directive of President Marcos, who led relief operations alongside DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and other government officials.
DepEd relief operations after Typhoon Nando: Masbate and Cagayan
In Masbate City, DepEd said President Marcos visited the Nursery Elementary School, where he and Angara distributed aid to families, learners, and local government units.
The assistance included:
- P10,000 each for 600 families under DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS); and
- P34.8 million in livelihood aid from DOLE Region V for 6,455 beneficiaries across 11 municipalities under the TUPAD program.
In Cagayan, DepEd said the President delivered aid to farmers and families affected by Typhoon Nando, visited Alfonso Ponce Enrile Hospital to check on the Zero Balance Billing Program, and joined the PhilHealth YAKAP Caravan at Santa Ana Fishery National High School.
DepEd also distributed food packs and learner kits to teachers, students, and parents.
Angara, who also inspected damaged schools in Cagayan and La Union, stressed the urgency of preparing schools for recurring disasters.
“Tungkulin natin na mabilis na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na at sunod-sunod ang pananalasa ng mga kalamidad (It is our duty to swiftly respond to the needs of our fellow citizens, especially as calamities continue to strike one after another),” Angara said.
“Kailangan mapaigting natin ang koordinasyon ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang maibalik ang ligtas at normal na klase sa lalong madaling panahon (We must strengthen coordination among government agencies to restore safe and normal classes as soon as possible),” he added.
DepEd earthquake response: 250 classrooms damaged in Northern Cebu
According to DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Northern Cebu damaged around 250 classrooms, affecting 2,200 learners and 90 school personnel across Regions 6, 7, 8, and the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Typhoon Opong damages more than 1,400 classrooms nationwide
For Typhoon Opong, DepEd recorded 1,101 classrooms with minor damage and 312 totally damaged classrooms, affecting around 13 million learners across the country.
Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma assured the public that schools will roll out learning recovery programs once conditions stabilize.
“Sa parte po ng DepEd, we are making sure na yung lost days for learning ay ma-recapture namin o ma-recover namin (On the part of DepEd, we are making sure that the lost days for learning will be recaptured or recovered),” he said.
“But for structures, again, we are also appealing to our counterparts in DPWH and of course the Local Government Units kung paano po natin tutugunan (But when it comes to infrastructure, we are also appealing to our counterparts in the DPWH and of course the Local Government Units on how we can address this),” he added.
DepEd strengthens disaster preparedness in schools
To ensure resilience against future disasters, DepEd is implementing several programs, including: PlanSmart for Safe Schools Application; Comprehensive School Safety Guidebook (Pillar 1); M7X Project for multi-hazard preparedness; and upgraded Temporary Learning Spaces (UTLS) for uninterrupted education during emergencies.
DepEd said its recovery plans also include the installation of temporary learning spaces, psychosocial support for learners and teachers, and stronger partnerships with local and national agencies to accelerate school rehabilitation.