P40 M needed to repair Biliran schools

Repairing the schools that were damaged by Tropical Storm Urduja in Biliran last month would require almost P40 million, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The DepEd said 12 schools were damaged in the province. Two were destroyed and need relocation.

“The estimated cost of damage on affected schools amounted to P39,578,188.40, based on the damage assessment conducted by the schools division engineer,” the DepEd reported.

“Of the total figure, P18,618,188.40 will be needed for construction of new school buildings and P20,960,000 for classroom repairs,” it added.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the agency is ready to build new schools but asked the local government units to provide safe school sites.

Brigada Eskwela launched

“Death of loved ones, loss of properties and livelihood are all painful. However, let us not pass the burden of fear, hopelessness and the feeling of nothing to look forward to onto our children,” Briones said during the launch of the special Brigada Eskwela in Biliran last week.

“As fast as possible, let us bring them back to school. Let us give our children the sense of normalcy,” she added.

She stressed that while funding and plans for the construction of new school buildings are being prepared, the DepEd will provide temporary learning spaces for education to continue.

To assist the Biliran DepEd division in its recovery and rehabilitation, the DepEd Regional Office 7 encouraged the spirit of bayanihan among the different education stakeholders and brought them together in one activity dubbed “Biliran: Bangon, Barug, Balik Eskwela.”

The activity was launched last Dec. 27 and continued until the resumption of classes yesterday.

Emphasizing the preservation of the environment, Briones pointed out that schoolchildren must be made aware of what climate change is all about.

“Biliran is rich in resources. We have to show the nation that we are worthy and deserving of these gifts,” Briones said. –