More makeshift classrooms in Negros Occidental

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Some students in typhoon-hit areas in Cadiz and Sagay cities in Negros Occidental province were attending  classes yesterday in makeshift classrooms, which used tarpaulins as temporary roofing, while P73 million in repairs and construction work are under way.

Cadiz Mayor Patrick Escalante said the Department of Education (DepEd) had allocated P25 million in quick-response funds for the repair of 104 classrooms in his city that were destroyed or damaged last year by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has allocated P17 million for the construction of 12 new classrooms, said Roel Bermejo, Cadiz Schools Division superintendent.

Bermejo said that while   repairs were under way, classes were held in principals’ offices, libraries and other spaces in schools not normally used as classrooms.

Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon III also said yesterday that  the DepEd had also allocated P17 million from its Yolanda quick-response funds for the repair of classrooms damaged by Yolanda that was at the bidding stage.

Classrooms with minor damage were repaired using the DepEd Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses during the “Brigada Eskwela,” he added.

Nicanor Alparito, education program supervisor and physical facilities coordinator of the DepEd division of Sagay City, said the P17 million was for the repair of 86 classrooms damaged by Yolanda in 22 schools, mostly in islet and coastal villages.

He said repairs were targeted to start this month and be completed in 60 days. Ayala Foundation Inc. has also donated seven temporary classrooms with tarpaulins as roofing at Old Sagay Elementary School, and a P14-million two-story 13-classroom building is also being constructed there.