The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said it needs more than PHP13 million in response funds for the cleanup and minor repairs of schools damaged by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi).

Based on the latest report from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), a total of 76 schools across Central, Eastern and Western Visayas, as well as in the Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao, have reported damages caused by the typhoon.

About PHP11.6 million is needed for the minor repair of schools, with PHP49,000 allocated for each damaged classroom.

An additional PHP2.11 million is required for cleanup and clearing operations (CUCO) in the 76 affected schools.

DepEd Media Relations chief Dennis Legaspi told the Philippine News Agency that they will tap their quick response fund (QRF) to ensure swift repair and recovery of schools in affected areas.

DRRMS logged 64 totally damaged classrooms, 91 classrooms with major damage and 237 classrooms with minor damage.

As of Wednesday, class suspensions have been implemented in 20,681 schools across 10 regions, including Bicol, Mimaropa, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Meanwhile, around 522 schools, or a total of 2,507 classrooms, are currently being used as evacuation centers for displaced residents in the affected areas. (PNA)