BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Several schools damaged by Typhoon Opong in Masbate are now nearing completion of repair works, with some already fully restored, Education Secretary Sonny Angara reported on Monday as he led an inspection of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) recovery efforts in the province.

With President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directing to provide full assistance to calamity-hit provinces, Sec. Angara visited Masbate Comprehensive National High School and Nursery Elementary School, two of the most affected campuses, where he saw first-hand the quick progress of rehabilitation works being carried out by DepEd in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units.

At Nursery Elementary School, minor repair of damaged roofs, ceilings, and electrical wirings has already reached 100 percent completion, while school building repairs are at 40 to 45 percent completed. At Masbate Comprehensive National High School, multi-story buildings and other structures are between 30 to 90 percent finished.

“Ang kabilin-bilin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa pagtulong sa mga naapektuhan ng kalamidad: hindi aalis ang tulong ng national government hangga’t hindi tuluyang nakakabangon ang ating mga kababayan,” Angara said.

“Sa utos ng Pangulo, agad nating sinimulan ang pagkukumpuni ng mga paaralan dito sa Masbate,” Angara added. “Gusto nating matiyak na tuloy ang pag-aaral kahit tinamaan ng bagyo, at mas handa tayo sa mga darating pang sakuna.”

DepEd data show that 1,651 classrooms—most in Masbate City—were damaged by the typhoon, with estimated losses amounting to ₱1.079 billion. The agency has already downloaded ₱14.4 million to the Schools Division Offices of Masbate and Masbate City for cleanup and minor repairs and has requested an additional ₱23.4 million to sustain ongoing rehabilitation.

The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) has also allocated 20 upgraded temporary learning spaces in the ongoing emergency procurement to accommodate learners from schools still under repair.

DepEd said it expects most of the remaining major repair works to be completed between December 2025 and February 2026, while funding for the replacement of totally damaged classrooms is being programmed under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) 2026 and the Quick Response Fund (QRF) 2026.

Earlier in the day, Angara also joined Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, and local officials in visiting an outreach station storage facility in Masbate City, where they inspected the nursery of pili and cacao seedlings, led the distribution of palay and corn seeds to local farmers, and toured a livestock area as part of the government’s livelihood recovery support for communities affected by Typhoon Opong.

He also attended a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) payout for 500 tourism workers held at the Magallanes Coliseum, underscoring the government’s inter-agency commitment to both education and livelihood recovery in the province.

Angara was welcomed by Masbate Governor Richard Kho, who pledged continued support for the province’s education rehabilitation efforts.

DepEd has likewise directed its regional offices in Cebu and Davao to expedite the assessment and repair of schools affected by the recent earthquakes.

*All Photos from DepEd