This November 8, 2020, photo shows Bicolano children frolicking in rain puddles inside the severely damaged Sto. Domingo Elementary School in Virac, Catanduanes, which used to serve as an evacuation center during intense typhoons that usually hit the province. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA / INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday pledged to provide assistance to teachers and personnel affected by recent typhoons.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said she directed her agency’s field offices to submit lists of teachers and personnel “severely affected” by the typhoons that whipped vast parts of the Philippines in the past weeks.
“These lists will be utilized to fully assist our people in need during these times,” Briones said in a statement.
Briones said provident fund emergency loans will be available for teaching and non-teaching personnel distressed by the typhoons. This, she added, will be on top of the year-end bonus that is equivalent to one-month salary as well as the P5,000 cash gift for personnel that will be released soon.
Briones also said DepEd is also expediting the processing of employee benefits to personnel who need help immediately.
“Recently, we are making headway in helping our personnel in getting the Government Service Insurance System and other private lending institutions’ calamity loans,” she noted.
Moreover, Briones said DepEd will allocate funds to replace the self-learning modules that were damaged by the successive weather events.
“In addition, funds have been downloaded to provide hygiene kits and conduct clean-up drive and psychosocial first aid to affected schools,” she said.
Five storms have hit the country in recent weeks, resulting in casualties and triggering floods that have severely damaged infrastructure.
“Education has truly taken a hit from these calamities. And if we are here to revive it, our priority will be our passionate educators and learners. We shall overcome,” Briones said. — Miguel Dumlao, Trainee