DepEd: P16.8 million needed to replace damaged learning materials

MANILA, Philippines – Nearly 400,000 learning materials were damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon “Ulysses” (international name: Vamco) and replacing these would cost some P16.8 million, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

In a Nov. 20 situation report, the DepEd said 118,995 of 386,292 damaged learning materials were recovered in Bicol region, one of the hardest-hit areas.

A total of 896 schools in 50 DepEd divisions were damaged, while 23,387 computers were destroyed in elementary and secondary schools across the country.

According to DepEd estimates, some P38.9 billion is needed for response and recovery needs, but as of last Friday, the agency had only been provided P5.7 million for non-infrastructure projects in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora and Rizal, Labo town in Camarines Norte, and Marikina City.

Cash donations amounting to P1.4 million from various DepEd offices were also used for cleanup and minor repairs.

Monitoring typhoon impact

“The DepEd Central Office has coordinated with affected regions on schools with class suspension, schools used as evacuation centers, flooded schools and fatalities due to Ulysses,” the agency said.

Its disaster risk reduction and management services team also said it would continue monitoring the impact of the recent floods and landslides in the affected areas.

Last week, Education Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla said the DepEd was prepared to send funds to local offices for the reproduction and redistribution of modules to students whose homes were destroyed by Ulysses.

Local governments have also suspended classes by as long as one month to allow learners and their families to clean up their homes until these are suitable for learning.