By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Department of Education (DepEd) released on Thursday, July 28, an updated report on the damaged schools and learning facilities following the recent magnitude 7 major earthquake that jolted Abra and nearby regions.
According to the latest Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) data, a total of 9,539 schools in 58 divisions were affected, up from the 8,027 schools that were reported on Wednesday.
A total of 164 schools in 26 divisions also sustained infrastructure damages, an increase from the 35 schools tallied earlier.
The estimated cost for repair and reconstruction has ballooned to P940 million.
Moreover, 16 divisions with 3,536 schools in the Ilocos Region and in the Cordillera Administrative Region have announced work suspensions since July 27.
According to DRRMS, four schools served as evacuation centers for the affected families with 148 individuals currently staying in.
The DepEd said the DRRMS will continue to monitor and coordinate with field DRRM coordinators to get the latest number of affected students, educators, and non-teaching personnel. –ag
