Kristine destroys, damages hundreds of classrooms

Amid a limited budget to address classroom shortage nationwide, school infrastructure incurred damage amounting to P765 million due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

A total of 223 classrooms were destroyed while 415 were damaged, based on DepEd's situational report as of yesterday.

A P557.5-million budget is needed for classroom reconstruction and P207.5 million for "major repairs," the DepEd said.

Infrastructure damage was reported by 171 schools, a majority of which are in Eastern Visayas with 79 schools and 38 in the Bicol region.

The figure is expected to increase as Kristine was forecast to remain in the Philippine area of responsibility until Friday.

Eastern Visayas recorded 77 and 179 destroyed and damaged classrooms, respectively. Bicol had 69 destroyed and 115 damaged classrooms.

Meanwhile, 143 schools have reported "hazard incidents" such as flooding and landslides, while 309 schools are being used as evacuation centers.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara gave assurance that the DepEd has a Quick Response Fund and rehabilitation fund to repair or reconstruct damaged infrastructure, though he did not give the exact amount available for disbursement.