The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Wednesday that it requires more than ₱13 million in immediate response funds to clean up and repair public schools damaged by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi).
According to DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), 76 schools across Central, Eastern, and Western Visayas, as well as Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao, reported varying levels of damage.
The agency said roughly ₱11.6 million will be allocated for minor repairs, with about ₱49,000 needed per damaged classroom. Another ₱2.11 million will go toward cleanup and clearing operations in the affected schools.
DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi told the Philippine News Agency that the department plans to draw funds from its quick response fund (QRF) to expedite the restoration of facilities.
Data from the DRRMS showed that 64 classrooms were totally destroyed, 91 sustained major damage, and 237 suffered minor damage.
As of Wednesday, class suspensions have been declared in 20,681 schools across 10 regions, including Bicol, Mimaropa, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Meanwhile, 522 schools — equivalent to 2,507 classrooms — are currently serving as temporary evacuation centers for displaced residents.
