Classes in Ursula-hit areas to resume in tents

MANILA, Philippines — Classes in public schools damaged by Typhoon Ursula will resume tomorrow in temporary learning facilities.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesman Mark Timbal said 446 public schools were damaged by the typhoon in Bicol, Mimaropa, Calabarzon as well as in Western, Central and Eastern Visayas.

Timbal said the NDRRMC set up tent shelters in time for the resumption of classes.

A regional official of the NDRRMC lamented that the Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to take steps to repair public school buildings affected by Ursula.

“Despite enough funds to rehabilitate damaged learning facilities, the DepEd is very, very slow in responding to the needs of our children,” the official said.

The NDRRMC also expressed concern that power has yet to be restored in many areas affected by the typhoon.

As of Friday, electricity was restored only in 50 of 103 cities and towns hit by blackouts.

The NDRRMC said 600,142 families or more than two million individuals from 2,688 barangays in Mimaropa, Bicol, Western, Eastern, Central Visayas and Caraga were affected by the typhoon.

Ursula left 50 persons dead, five other missing and 362 injured.

Damage to agriculture was pegged at over P3 billion.