Storm, quake damage to schools pass P2.23B
Repair costs on schools heavily damaged by the recent earthquake and aftershocks in Davao Oriental had already reached P2.23 billion, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Saturday as it hastened assistance to schools damaged by earthquakes and typhoons across the country.
The initial visual assessments by the DepEd showed that 575 schools had “varying degrees of damage” and that P2.23 billion was already the estimated repair costs, the DepEd said, citing its disaster risk reduction and management service.
A total of 1,006 schools have been affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake near Manay, Davao Oriental, as of Friday, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara. This impacted around 100,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in various regions.
Angara said the DepEd has already released P139.4 million in assistance for the repairs on schools damaged by the recent Typhoon “Opong” (international name: Bualoi) in Masbate.
As for the schools damaged by the spate of earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental, Angara said that validation and damage assessments were still ongoing.
“We can no longer wait for another two years before help arrives,” Angara said.
He said the DepEd has already tapped the Department of Public Works and Highways and all concerned local government units for the assessments on the quake-affected areas.
The European Union (EU) has released €750,000, or about P50.52 million, in humanitarian aid to assist victims of the earthquake that struck Cebu on Sept. 30.
In a statement, the EU said the funds would provide emergency relief such as temporary shelter, water, sanitation and cash assistance to displaced families.
Part of the aid will be implemented through the Philippine Red Cross under the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund.
This latest allocation adds to the €7.3 million in humanitarian aid and disaster preparedness it has already allocated to the Philippines this year, including funds for communities affected by tropical cyclones in July and September.
