More than 6.5 million learners have been affected by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, as persistent flooding and severe weather disrupt face-to-face classes across multiple regions, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported Tuesday.
As of 8 a.m., DepEd recorded active class suspensions in 9,890 public schools across eight regions, impacting 6,512,872 learners and 284,725 personnel.
Central Luzon recorded the highest number of schools with suspended classes at 3,569, followed by the Ilocos Region with 1,791, MIMAROPA with 1,278, CALABARZON with 1,145, the National Capital Region with 776, the Cordillera Administrative Region with 696, Western Visayas with 415 and Central Visayas with 220.
Amid the relentless downpours, 134 schools are currently being utilized as evacuation centers, with 522 classrooms providing temporary shelter to 2,815 families. Central Luzon accounts for the highest number of schools used for evacuation at 79, followed by CALABARZON with 31, NCR with 15, Eastern Visayas with five, MIMAROPA with three and CAR with one.
Meanwhile, a rapid damage assessment by DepEd revealed that 961 schools sustained structural and material losses. The assessment showed that 3,297 classrooms suffered minor damage, 1,135 classrooms sustained major damage and 1,093 classrooms were totally destroyed. Additionally, 10,883 learning materials, 440 ICT equipment units and 9,360 chairs were damaged by the severe weather.
To jumpstart recovery, the agency is processing funds for repairs and school restoration. DepEd has allocated P26.998 million for cleanup and clearing operations and P161.553 million for minor repairs across the affected facilities, with the initial batch of funding already being released to maintain learning continuity.
The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant government agencies for response and recovery.
With the PAGASA warning that Habagat will continue bringing cloudy skies and heavy rainfall over Luzon, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides, DepEd urged local officials and school administrators to stay vigilant and prioritize the safety of students and personnel.