BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Department of Education (DepEd), under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, has mobilized rapid response efforts to ensure that students can return to their studies as soon as possible following the disruption caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. 

Angara praised the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) staff and DepEd personnel nationwide who immediately sprang into action to assist schools and communities affected by the storm.  

“Even as classes and government offices were suspended for three days, many of our staff continued working from home to coordinate assistance. Saludo kami sa inyong dedikasyon,” Angara said. 

According to the October 28, 2024, situation report from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System (DRRMS), 38,376 schools suspended classes, with 888 schools flooded or affected by landslides and 1,127 schools used as evacuation centers.

In total, DepEd estimates PHP 3.7 billion in infrastructure damages, with PHP 2.9 billion needed for reconstruction and PHP 737.5 million for major repairs.

Recognizing the urgency of restoring education, DepEd has launched a comprehensive recovery plan focused on ensuring that students can resume learning without further delay.

DepEd eyes more rehabilitation and recovery response through replacement of damaged learning resources such as textbooks, learning tools, equipment, and computer packages, additional Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for Regional Offices (ROs), Schools Division Offices (SDOs), and schools, reproduction of additional printed Self-Learning Modules (SLMs), and setting up of temporary learning spaces, among others.

“Every day out of school is a lost opportunity to learn,” Angara stressed. “That is why we are prioritizing rehabilitation efforts to restore normalcy in the education system as quickly as possible.” 

To help DepEd employees recover, the department is also ensuring that the special emergency leave from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) is accessible. The leave provides up to five paid days for government personnel directly affected by the disaster, which can be taken consecutively or intermittently. 

“This leave allows our employees to focus on recovery—whether it’s rebuilding their homes or supporting their families—so they can return to work ready to serve,” Angara noted. 

DepEd remains committed to minimizing disruption to education and swiftly addressing the challenges posed by the storm. “Our goal is clear: to bring students back to school and back to learning as soon as possible,” Angara said. 

The department is working closely with local communities, school officials, and regional offices to ensure that every student, no matter how severely affected, has the resources and support they need to continue their education.

*All Photos from DepEd