Angara Pledges ‍Swift Support for Schools Devastated by Storms and Monsoon Rains

MANILA – Education Secretary Sonny Angara has pledged immediate and extensive support for schools and learners affected by the recent onslaught of tropical cyclones Emong,Dante,and Crising,compounded ⁢by the enhanced southwest monsoon. Following his visit to flooded educational institutions in Navotas⁤ and Malabon on⁤ July 23,2025,Angara assured stakeholders on Thursday,July 24,2025,that the Department of Education (DepEd)⁢ is ‍prioritizing the swift recovery ⁤and continued provision of quality education.

DepEd’s Commitment to Disaster-affected Schools

Secretary Angara emphasized the department’s unwavering dedication to ⁢the safety and well-being of students and educators during times of calamity. “We will not abandon our schools, teachers, and students during calamities,” Angara stated. “We ‍will do everything ⁢to help them recover quickly and continue providing education.” This commitment underscores deped’s proactive stance in disaster management and response.

Immediate‍ Actions and funding for rehabilitation

The DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction ⁤and Management Service (DRRMS) has already released funds to initiate immediate cleaning and clearing operations in schools⁢ impacted by the severe ‍weather. This rapid deployment of resources aims to restore normalcy and ensure a safe learning environment as quickly as possible.

Infrastructure Damage Assessment:

As of Wednesday, the DepEd reported significant infrastructure⁣ damage across numerous schools:

Minor Damage: Approximately 1,876 classrooms have sustained minor⁢ damage.
Major Damage: 562 classrooms are experiencing major structural issues.
Destroyed Classrooms: A total of 531⁤ classrooms have been wholly destroyed.
Hygiene‍ Facilities: 232 classrooms have damaged hygiene facilities, highlighting the urgent need for repairs to ensure student health and sanitation.

Collaborative Efforts for School Recovery

To address the extensive infrastructure damage, DepEd is actively collaborating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).This partnership will leverage Quick Response Funds for the immediate ⁤rehabilitation and recovery of affected schools.

furthermore, DepEd is utilizing the National Indemnity Insurance⁢ Programme, a comprehensive insurance scheme designed to protect public schools against ⁢damages from fire, lightning, and other natural calamities. This program is a joint⁤ effort with the Government Service⁢ Insurance System (GSIS) and the bureau of the Treasury, providing a crucial financial safety net for educational ⁤facilities.

Support for Personnel and Calamity Leave

Recognizing the personal toll of disasters on educators ‍and staff, DepEd has also outlined support mechanisms ⁢for its personnel:

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage: Teaching⁤ and non-teaching personnel are eligible for claims of PHP100,000 for ⁢accidental death or dismemberment.
Accident-Related‍ Treatment reimbursement: Reimbursements of up to PHP30,000 are available ‍for accident-related medical treatments under the GSIS-issued Group Personal Accident Insurance policy.
* ‍ Provident Fund loans and Calamity Leave: The department⁣ assures assistance for teachers and other DepEd staff who wish to avail of the agency’s ‍provident fund loan.Additionally, a 30-day calamity leave is granted to personnel in areas declared under a state of calamity, providing them with necessary time to attend to personal and⁤ family needs during thes challenging times.The swift and multi-faceted response from the Department of Education aims to mitigate the impact of the recent calamities on the education sector, ensuring that learning continues with minimal disruption and that affected communities receive the necessary support for recovery.