With the goal of accelerating the province’s recovery efforts after being hit by a series of earthquakes and flash floods.
On Monday, July 20, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of Education Secretary (DepEd) Sonny Angara, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon conducted on-ground assessment of severely damaged schools in Davao Occidental.
The visit also aims to address the immediate needs of students, teachers, and families who were temporarily displaced by the successive natural calamities such as the Magnitude 7.8 quake in June and flash floods in the past week due to the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Inday, as well as another Magnitude 6.5 quake on July 14.
The team inspected the affected educational facilities in the town of Jose Abad Santos to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate rehabilitation.
Angara shared, “Nandito tayo para tiyakin na tuluy-tuloy ang pag-aaral ng mga bata sa kabila ng krisis.”
According to DepEd, among those that suffered heavy damages during those where tje Emeliano S. Fontanares Sr. National High School in Barangay Sugal, the Edna Guillermo Memorial National High School in Barangay Nuing, and Butulan Elementary School.
In response, the Department said it has mobilized financial and logistical assistance to the affected schools, with PHP3.51 million already released asked for immediate ground operations — including PHP2.061 million for clean-up and clearing operations and PHP1.449 million for minor repairs.
Meanwhile, 77 Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS) units will be built in 23 target sites in the towns of Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Santa Maria, and Sarangani to enable resumption of classes.
In addition, DepEd also launched Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions last week for students and teachers of Edna Guillermo Memorial NHS to guide them in their mental and emotional health in light of the successive calamities that struck the town.
DepEd also noted its collaboration with local government units (LGUs), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and health authorities for ongoing relief assistance.
They are also conducting engineering reviews for the development of climate-resilient engineering standards for schools in Mindanao.
