DepEd logs initial 519 classrooms in Northern Luzon damaged by Marce

REMEDIAL MEASURES. The Department of Education-Cordillera will implement the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) recommended by the national office for calamity-hit areas. Initial reports as of Nov. 12, 2024, show that more than 500 schools were damaged by typhoons that hit Northern Luzon in the past weeks. (PNA file photo)

BAGUIO CITY – At least 519 classrooms have been damaged by Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing), according to the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Cordillera  Administrative Region (CAR).

Based on the report as of Nov. 12,  at least 158 classrooms suffered major damage, while 361 had minor damage, the DepEd-Cordillera Public Affairs Unit head Cyrille Gaye Miranda said on Thursday.

Abra recorded 97 classrooms with major damage and 192 with minor damage; Apayao has 24 classrooms with major damage and 116 minor damage; Benguet recorded two with minor damage; Kalinga recorded one classroom with major damage and two with minor damage; Mountain Province has 34 classrooms with major damage and 16 with minor damage; and Tabuk City has two classrooms with major damage and 33 with minor damage.

READ: 979 typhoon-damaged schools in PH delay start of classes – DepEd

Miranda said they had recorded a 74 percent submission rate from the different Schools Division Offices (SDOs) in the region or 1,371 out of the 1,844 schools.

“This is not yet final. Reports continue to come in. The engineers will still validate and make the necessary report on the amount of damage, as well as the amount needed to restore the facilities,” she said in a private message to the Philippine News Agency.

Miranda said the Quick Response Funds (QRF) may be used for minor repairs to make the classrooms immediately available to the learners.

“Those with major damage have to be submitted for funding if the QRF is insufficient to restore the facilities to their normal condition, ensuring the safety of the teachers and the learners,” she said.

Miranda said that based on experience in the past, parents and members of the community do the “binnadang” (helping hand) in fixing and repairing damaged facilities as soon as the weather permits.

“While the department also exerts effort, we are glad that in the Cordillera, we have communities who are very willing to extend a hand, especially in fixing minor damage in classrooms so that our children will return to school with comfort,” she added.

Since some classrooms cannot be used, Miranda said the regional office would adopt the national office’s recommendation to implement the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) developed by the Central Visayas Institute Foundation to ensure education in calamity-stricken areas.

The program promotes independent, resource-efficient learning using parallel classes, activity-based engagement, student portfolios, and reduced homework policy. (PNA)