PASIG CITY, July 28, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday afternoon released an updated report on the damages sustained by divisions affected by the recent 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Abra and nearby provinces.

Based on the latest Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) information, 9,539 schools in 58 divisions were affected by the earthquake, from 8,027 schools initially reported yesterday.

Meanwhile, there are now 164 schools in 26 divisions with infrastructure damages, from 35 schools on July 27.

Accordingly, from Php 228.5 million in the estimated cost of repair and reconstruction in the initial announcement, the figures have ballooned to Php 940 million, covering the repair and reconstruction of totally and partially damaged classrooms.

Currently, 16 divisions covering 3,536 schools from Region I (Ilocos Region) and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have announced work suspensions starting July 27. No resumption date has been released.

DRRMS has likewise reported that since July 27, 2022, four (4) schools have been opened to serve as evacuation centers for the affected families. In total, 148 individuals are currently evacuated.

DRRMS also convened the Central Office Quick Response and Recovery Team (QRRT) to ensure timely, adequate, and effective response and recovery interventions in the aftermath of a disaster, as mandated by DepEd Order No. 44, s. 2018.

Likewise, DRRMS also called for a meeting with the National Education Cluster Partners (ECP) to provide updates on the affected schools. Among the response actions done by the ECP are the conduct of rapid assessment of damages and the determination of areas needing Psychological First Aid (PFA).

DRRMS is continuously coordinating with the field DRRM Coordinators to get the latest updates on the number of affected learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.

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