DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Classes have not resumed in typhoon-hit towns in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental due to a lack of tents to be used as temporary classrooms.
Only schools in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley that typhoon “Pablo†has greatly affected were not able to hold regular classes as of Jan. 3.
Tina Guanzon, Department of Education (DepEd) communications director, told The STAR the DepEd initially purchased 56 tents for schools in the affected areas, especially in the towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston in Davao Oriental, and New Bataan, Montevista, Compostela and Monkayo in Compostela Valley.
“We are now in the process of procuring additionally more than 200 tents to address the problem on the lack of classrooms,†she said.
Other agencies and private organizations have pitched by providing tents, she added.
Guanzon said local governments are also addressing the problem on evacuees who have remained in schools. – Edith Regalado, Judy Flores Partlow/Freeman