The Department of Education’s (DepEd) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said 9,009 public schools suspended in-person classes on Wednesday.
This is still due to the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and Tropical Depression Neneng.
Out of the 94 affected divisions, Central Luzon recorded the most school suspensions at 2,766, according to the latest situation report of the DepEd DRRMS.
Calabarzon followed with the temporary halt for face-to-face classes in 2,659 schools; Ilocos, 1,811; Mimaropa, 767; Cordillera, 425; Zamboanga Peninsula, 233; Metro Manila, 204; Western Visayas, 69; Northern Mindanao, 59; Davao Region, 5; Soccsksargen, 4; Bicol, 3; Caraga, 2; and one school each for Cagayan Valley and Eastern Visayas.
At least 588 families or households are also utilizing schools as evacuation centers (ECs).
Based on the Incident Management Reporting System, 81 classrooms in 29 schools are now acting as ECs in select areas.
These include 13 schools in Pampanga, five schools in Valenzuela, as well as three schools in Malolos City.
Two schools each also serve as temporary shelters for displaced families and individuals in Dagupan City, Occidental Mindoro, Pasig and Tarlac.
The DRRMS has recommended close monitoring among affected schools and DepEd field offices.
Contingency plans and deployment of school DRRMS must also be in place to ensure proper settings for both learners’ safety and learning continuity.
On Tuesday, the DepEd said it is eyeing to revise measures to make class resumption more granular and school-level to advance appropriate learning modalities and recover lost class time. (PNA)
