Repair of damaged schools in northern Cebu to be finished by start of SY 2014

CEBU, Philippines - While funding for the repair of schools in northern Cebu that were damaged by super typhoon Yolanda has yet to be released by the Department of Education, authorities have stated that the construction of the schools will be finished by the start of the school year in June.

Arden Monisit, schools division superintendent of DepEd-Cebu Province said that he was informed by their head office that newly constructed classrooms will rise before June or before the start of the school year.

"So far, wala pa na release ang fundings. But, we were informed nga before June kay matukod na," Monisit said.

Records show that of the 13 towns and one city in northern Cebu hit by the typhoon, a total of  2,189 classrooms were damaged which 357 classrooms are for replacement, 1,251 classrooms are for major repair and 581 classrooms for minor repairs.

"We are assured nga naay fundings but wa pa ta kahibalo kanus-a ma-release," Monisit said.

He said that various non-government organizations and private institutions have tremendously helped already by adopting some schools to be rehabilitated while some groups gave roofs, tents, school supplies and food for the school children.

Monisit added that since January of this year, almost two months after the typhoon hit the Visayas, they have already registered an attendance of 90 percent from the students in the affected areas.

"Back to normal na gyud ang atong mga estudyante sa affected areas," he said.

Monisit added that they are still continuously conducting feeding programs to all school children, with the assistance of the private sectors.

"Sige pa ta og dawat og mga donasyon, so sige pa sad ang atong feeding programs," he further said. — (FREEMAN)