DepEd engineers deployed to inspect schools in quake-stricken areas

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education has sent its field engineers to Central and Western Visayas to determine the extent of damage inflicted by Monday’s 6.9-magnitude on to public schools structures the regions.

A report from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed that a total of 74 schools were affected across  Regions 6 (Western Visayas) and 7 (Central Visayas), including 55 elementary and 19 high schools in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Antique, Guihulngan, Talisay and Dumaguete City.

DepEd engineers were still checking how much damage the schools sustained although the department had estimated the initial damage at P11.5 million.

“Validation on the extent and cost of damage still [ongoing] with the DepEd engineering team.  In-depth structural integrity assessment to be conducted as soon as possible on affected schools within the buffer zone of the epicenter/fault,” read the DepEd report.

DepEd figures released last year showed that up to 5,990 schools faced earthquake risks, including those built near fault lines.

Public schools are built to withstand earthquakes of up to Intensity VII, equivalent to a range in magnitude of 5.9 to 6.9 per the United States Geological Survey scale, according to DepEd’s engineering office.