LOOK: Typhoon-wrecked classrooms in Cebu province still unrestored

MANILA, Philippines — The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Wednesday shared images of typhoon-ravaged classrooms in Cebu province that have yet to be repaired.

According to the ACT, all of these photos were taken within the month of August although Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) pummeled the Visayas in 2021.

The group said it received these reports through its Bantay Balik-Eskwela hotline, adding that the classrooms have “been unrehabilitated since [they] were damaged by Typhoon Odette in December 2021 and until the floodings in recent months.”

READ: Cebu City hit by worst flood since Typhoon Odette

ACT said that “useable classrooms were reduced further by the Department of Education’s (DepEd) failure to have the typhoon-damaged classrooms repaired in a timely manner.”

Teachers in Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City have seen no repairs while local education officials are waiting for the Department of Education Central School for plans of repair, according to the ACT.

The group enumerated the affected schools and the number of classrooms that are still not repaired to date:

• Mabolo National High School, Cebu City – 20 classrooms
• Labangon Elementary School, Cebu City – 20 classrooms
• Camp Lapu-lapu Elementary School, Apas, Cebu City – 18 classrooms
• Zapatera Elementary School, Sikatuna, Cebu City – 4th Building unuseable
• Zapatera High School, Cebu City – No classroom available for the Senior High School classes
• Abellana National High School, Cebu City – 13 classrooms

“Ayon sa Office of the President, may natira pang halos P700 milyon na calamity fund para sa taong 2021, at may P14.7 bilyon pa para sa taong ito. Nasaan ang mga pondong ito at bakit hindi kaagad na ginamit para maipakumpuni ang mga klasrum na nasira ng kalamidad gayung ipinag-utos naman nila ang lahatang pagbalik sa face-to-face classes?” ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said in a statement.

(According to the Office of the President, there is still P700 million worth of calamity funds for 2021, and P14.7 billion for this year. Where are these funds and why is it not used to repair damaged classrooms that were wrecked by calamities, especially when they implemented face-to-face classes?)

READ Marcos admin inherits P14.7 billion calamity fund

“ACT reiterated its demand for the government to act swiftly and lay-out a long-term plan that will resolve the grave classroom shortage in the country” Quetua added.

KGA