Metro Manila, Philippines — Some schools turned into evacuation centers will have to delay class opening scheduled for July 29, the new education secretary said.
Thousands of Filipino families have sought shelter in evacuation centers, including schools, because of massive flooding for the past few days.
“Some schools will really have to postpone their openings kasi maraming aayusin at lilinisin. Pero yung wala o minimal ang damage itutuloy pa rin ang pasukan,” Angara said in a statement on Thursday, July 25.
[Translation: Some schools will really have to postpone their openings because it needs to be fixed and cleaned. But those with minimal to no damage, classes will push through.]
“Hindi namin pipilitin yung mga nasalanta talaga at mahihirapan sa school opening ng Lunes,” he said.
[Translation: We will not force those that were damaged as they will have difficulty with the school opening on Monday.]
At Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School in Quezon City, about 4,000 evacuees remain as of posting time.
Wilma Obras, Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School principal, told NewsWatch Plus that preparations should be underway for the school opening, but that was put on hold.
“Kung may evacuees pa, definitely, siguro talagang made-delay ang school natin. Pero sa ibang school baka makapag-open sila,” Obras said.
[Translation: If there are still evacuees, definitely, our school opening will be delayed. But other schools, maybe they can already open.]
In Marikina, Malanday Elementary School Principal Aizaleen Garchitorena said the evacuees can stay as long needed.
“Kung bukas uuwi na lahat, kakayanin naman natin. Pero kung hindi, syempre bibigyan din kami ng time,” Garchitorena replied when asked if they can accommodate students by Monday.
[Translation: If everyone will go home tomorrow, we can. If not, they will give us more time.]
Around 600 families are staying in the learning facility.
Evacuees are hoping to receive aid to recover from the calamity.
