BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Reaffirming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize immediate response to people’s needs during disaster recovery, Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Wednesday led the inauguration of a flood-resilient school building and spearheaded relief operations in the flood-hit municipalities of Masantol and Macabebe, Pampanga. 

In Masantol, Secretary Angara joined Pampanga 4th District Representative Anna York Bondoc, DepEd Region III Assistant Regional Director Jessie L. Amin, and Schools Division Superintendent Romeo S. Alip for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new flood-resistant school building in Masantol High School.  

The structure, according to DepEd, is part of a broader initiative to make learning spaces more disaster-resilient amid the worsening impacts of climate change. 

“Yung nakita nating classroom sa Masantol, I think ‘yun yung talagang magiging modelo for flood-prone areas. Sa Bicol, dito, sa Bulacan. ‘Yan din ang gusto ng Pangulo, na may permanent solutions na tayo—hindi yung nag-adjust. We must adapt our policies,” Angara said. 

Following the ceremonial opening, Secretary Angara held a dialogue with educators, students, and community members affected by recent floods in a roundtable forum held in another part of the school. He later led the distribution of food packs and essential supplies to affected teaching and non-teaching personnel. 

Angara emphasized that the Department, in line with President Marcos’ directive, is taking swift and comprehensive action in times of calamity. These include conducting damage assessments, offering psychosocial support, and ensuring continuity of learning. 

“Kapag may kalamidad, una nating tanong: ligtas ba ang mga paaralan? Kumusta ang ating mga guro at kawani? Kaya’t sinigurado ng DepEd, alinsunod sa utos ng Pangulo, na may agarang tugon at aktwal na pagdalaw sa inyo ngayon,” said Angara, who also visited San Isidro Elementary School and San Nicolas Elementary School.  

At nearby Macabebe Elementary School, Angara also led the distribution of another round of relief packs. The relief mission in Pampanga provided over 2,000 food packs for teachers, non-teaching staff, and their families. 

Secretary Angara concluded both engagements by reaffirming DepEd’s whole-of-government approach to education continuity and disaster response. 

“Hindi natin kayang pigilan ang bagyo, pero kaya nating ihanda ang bansa. Basta’t magkakasama tayo — DepEd, LGU, Kongreso, at mga guro — walang hindi kakayanin,” he said. 

*All Photos from Deped