DepEd checking teachers’ condition in typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) is doing a head count of public school teachers in areas that Typhoon Yolanda had devastated.

However, Education Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo refused to confirm reports that many teachers went missing after Yolanda had wreaked havoc in the Visayas last Nov. 8.

“We don’t want to give a categorical statement right now as we still have to check on them,” he said in a phone interview.

They have set up command centers in Yolanda-hit areas to check on the condition of public school teachers and their relatives, he added.

Eastern Visayas has 58,179 teachers.

Mateo said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has instructed all government agencies not to release unconfirmed data.

“We are likely to come up with a report on Friday,” he said.

Education Secretary  Armin Luistro said the DepEd has 13 divisions in Eastern Visayas, but only four are operational as of yesterday. 

“Our first task is to account for all our people,” he said.

Luistro said they will set up temporary classrooms in areas that Yolanda has devastated so classes can resume.

“The resumption of classes per division shall be determined by the superintendent in coordination with the local government,” he said.