Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) – The government should immediately start renovating schools that were damaged by Typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon, or habagat, with the nearing resumption of classes, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said Friday.
“Kinakailangang mabigyang aksyon kaagad ang pagpapaayos ng mga sirang pasilidad para matiyak na mayroong ligtas at maayos na pasilidad ang mga guro at mag-aaral para sa darating na pasukan,” said ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio.
[Translation: There is a need for prompt action on repairing the damaged facilities to ensure that teachers and students have safe and decent facilities for the upcoming resumption of classes.]
According to the Department of Education, 169 schools were damaged by the weather disturbance in Cordillera Administrative Region, Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said educational materials, computers and armchairs were destroyed in 38 municipalities, as of Aug. 2.
It also logged 559 damaged classrooms from affected regions.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, Sen. Win Gatchalian said the senate will conduct a hearing to assess the readiness of schools to resume classes.
“We wanted to know whether our schools are ready, our teachers are ready, and what are the problems that our schools are facing,” said Gatchalian, who heads the Senate’s basic education committee.
