DepEd allocates P235.1 million for learning continuity in quake-hit schools

MANILA, Philippines —  Education Secretary Sonny Angara has ordered an initial allocation of P235.1 million to ensure learning continuity in schools affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.

Angara said the budget will fund the deployment of 130 fully equipped Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS) with emergency power and Starlink WiFi connectivity across affected regions.

The Department of Education also secured P258.98 million to support the printing and rapid delivery of prepositioned learning packets for learners whose education was disrupted by the disaster.

Angara emphasized that while the agency is fast-tracking the deployment of resources, the immediate safety and welfare of the academic community remain its top priorities.

“In accordance with President Bongbong Marcos’ directive for the government to respond quickly during disasters, we are using concrete data to ensure that aid reaches affected communities quickly and correctly. Our priority now is the safety and well-being of our teachers and students. We must first stabilize the situation on the ground before we can safely restore the normal flow of education in classrooms,” Angara said.

Aside from the P235.1 million, the agency also tapped the P3-billion Quick Response Fund to facilitate the structural reconstruction or replacement of damaged school buildings and facilities.

The agency added that registered guidance counselors have been deployed to provide psychological first aid and mental health screenings to learners and staff affected by the earthquake.

The resumption of face-to-face classes will be determined on a school-by-school basis and will only be allowed after DepEd engineers, local coordinators and structural experts inspect and clear the facilities.

Donations

To alleviate the situation, government agencies and officials have pledged contributions and assistance for communities affected by the earthquake.

The “new majority” of the Senate has donated their month’s salary to victims of the earthquake.

“The Senate New Majority stands with the families and communities in Mindanao who are now facing the painful work of rescue, relief, rebuilding and recovery after the powerful earthquake,” the bloc of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in a statement.

“As a personal contribution to the relief effort, members of the Senate New Majority are prepared to donate one month of our salary to help support affected communities,” they added.

Members of the “new majority” include Gatchalian, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Vicente Sotto III, Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Raffy and Erwin Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Lito Lapid and Francis Escudero.

In the House of Representatives, Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin Jr. pledged to donate P100,000 from his own salary for victims of the earthquake, while Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste instructed the House leadership to debit P1 million from his monthly salary to assist the victims.

The Bureau of Customs, meanwhile, said it is planning to donate confiscated goods to affected communities.

PhilHealth, meanwhile, reminded individuals affected by emergency situations, including those impacted by the Mindanao earthquake, that they may avail of the outpatient emergency care benefit package. – Delon Porcalla, Rhodina Villanueva, Roel Pareño, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Ric Sapnu, Evelyn Macairan