Typhoon Uwan damages over 1,800 classrooms
MANILA, Philippines — Over 1,800 classrooms in at least 312 schools were damaged during Typhoon Uwan’s (international name: Fung Wong) onslaught in Luzon, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported on Monday.
According to DepEd, most of the affected classrooms—1,182 in total—sustained minor damage, while 366 were heavily damaged and 261 were completely destroyed.
READ: LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Uwan
The aftermath of Super Typhoon Uwan at Pedro Orata Elementary School in SDO Aurora shows several classrooms with collapsed roofs and scattered debris, as DepEd teams verify reported damages. The school is among 312 affected nationwide being assessed for infrastructure impact under DepEd’s ongoing monitoring. Education Secretary Sonny Angara assured that the safety of learners and personnel, as well as learning continuity, remain the agency’s top priorities. Photo from DepEd.
Bicol, Calabarzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region recorded the highest numbers of damaged classrooms, DepEd said.
The agency clarified, however, that the figures are still being verified as additional reports continue to come in from regional and division offices.
DepEd also reported that 5,572 classrooms in 1,072 schools across 11 regions are currently being used as evacuation centers.
The aftermath of Super Typhoon Uwan at Pedro Orata Elementary School in SDO Aurora shows several classrooms with collapsed roofs and scattered debris, as DepEd teams verify reported damages. The school is among 312 affected nationwide being assessed for infrastructure impact under DepEd’s ongoing monitoring. Education Secretary Sonny Angara assured that the safety of learners and personnel, as well as learning continuity, remain the agency’s top priorities. Photo from DepEd.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara assured affected communities that the department remains committed to the “immediate protection of students, teachers, and school personnel, as well as the long-term continuity of learning.”
“The challenges faced by our teachers, parents, and students during Typhoons Uwan and Tino have been immense. We extend our sympathies to our fellow citizens and assure them that DepEd stands with you every step of the way as we recover and rebuild hope in every classroom,” Angara said.
The aftermath of Super Typhoon Uwan at Pedro Orata Elementary School in SDO Aurora shows several classrooms with collapsed roofs and scattered debris, as DepEd teams verify reported damages. The school is among 312 affected nationwide being assessed for infrastructure impact under DepEd’s ongoing monitoring. Education Secretary Sonny Angara assured that the safety of learners and personnel, as well as learning continuity, remain the agency’s top priorities. Photo from DepEd.
He also said DepEd has identified funding requirements of P20.2 million for clean-up and clearing operations and P57.9 million for minor repairs.
Furthermore, the department has prioritized the implementation of Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) in schools that remain closed due to recent typhoons and other calamities. Funds have already been released to the affected regions to produce learning packets and lesson guides under the Dynamic Learning Program and other ADM modalities. /mcm
