Damage to over 8K quake-hit schools hits P290 million

An initial report from the DepEd showed that numerous schools were damaged including those in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), and Central Luzon Region (Region 3). (File Photo By Patrick Roque/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) said Wednesday that around 8,027 schools in seven regions in the country were affected following the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Luzon.

An initial report from the DepEd showed that numerous schools were damaged including those in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), and Central Luzon Region (Region 3).

“Sixty-one schools in Cordillera, Regions 1, 2, and 3 are damaged, while 116 classrooms are totally damaged, with an estimated cost [of] PHP290-million,” the DepEd said.

Likewise, 174 classrooms in these areas were partially damaged, with an estimated cost of PHP87 million.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte ordered Wednesday the activation of the Education Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) teams to provide an immediate response to affected schools following the magnitude 7 earthquake, the epicenter of which was traced in Abra.

“Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte has already activated [the DRRM] to monitor and respond to the situation, including the provision of Psychological First Aid to affected personnel and learners,” the DepEd said.

The Education chief also said that classes in schools from “heavily affected” areas are now suspended.