The Department of Education (DepEd) has pledged to fast-track recovery and ensure learning continuity in public schools affected by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) and Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi).

In a statement on Monday, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency is prioritizing the welfare of learners, teachers and non-teaching staff as it addresses the damage caused by the twin typhoons, which affected at least 312 public schools nationwide.

“Mabigat ang pinagdadaanan ng ating mga guro, magulang, at mag-aaral sa nagdaang Bagyong Uwan at Tino (What the teachers, parents, and learners are going through have been very tough due to Typhoon Uwan and Tino),” he said.

“Nakikiramay tayo sa ating mga kababayan at tinitiyak namin sa DepEd na kasama ninyo kami sa bawat hakbang ng pagbangon at muling pagbuo ng pag-asa sa bawat silid-aralan (We empathize with our fellow Filipinos and we in DepEd assure that we are with you in every step of recovery and the revival of hope in every classroom).”

Angara said the agency needs at least PHP57.9 million in funds for minor repairs and another PHP20.2 million for cleanup and clearing operations to restore damaged facilities.

Meanwhile, the DepEd chief ordered the implementation of Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) to prevent learning disruption, particularly in closed schools due to the effects of natural calamities.

Funds have already been downloaded to the regional offices to provide learning packets and lesson guides under the ADM and Dynamic Learning Program.

As of 12 p.m. Monday, 1,182 classrooms were reported to have sustained minor damage, 366 classrooms incurred major damage, while 261 classrooms were totally damaged, according to the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS).

The Bicol, Calabarzon and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) logged the highest numbers of damaged classrooms due to Super Typhoon Uwan.

To date, 5,572 classrooms in 1,072 schools in the country are being used as evacuation centers. (PNA)