The Department of Education (DepEd) reported Thursday that the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Abra on Wednesday affected more than 8,000 schools and damaged 35 others.
DepEd stated in a statement that the 35 damaged schools were affiliated with 15 school division offices in Luzon.
11 schools were from Region III (Central Luzon), nine from Region II (Cagayan Valley), eight from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and 7 from Region I. (Ilocos Region).
According to DepEd, this is based on the agency’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service’s initial Rapid Assessment of Damages Report (RADaR) (DRRMS).
DepEd stated that the DRRMS report revealed that the initial cost estimate for restoring and rehabilitating the damaged schools is P228.5 million.
According to DepEd, the 8,027 affected schools were located in high-intensity locations in the PHIVOLCS’ Earthquake Information or had reported casualties.
DepEd stated that it participated in the 1st Response Cluster Meeting and joined the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) Virtual Emergency Operations Center to examine the earthquake-affected regions further.
It also asked for an emergency conference with the regional and division DRRM coordinators of the impacted regions in order for them to report on the latest developments and response measures taken by their office.
DRRMS has also collaborated with field DRRM coordinators to obtain information on the number of affected students, instructors, and non-instructional workers.
Abra earthquake damaged 35 schools – DepEd
The earthquake occurred one month before the start of the 2022-2023 school year on August 22.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. traveled to Abra to assess the situation following Wednesday’s strong earthquake.
The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) reported that Marcos left for the province after 8 a.m.
According to the OPS, Marcos will survey the devastation and be briefed on the current rescue and relief activities in Abra.
Marcos will also lead Abra’s situation briefing.
Tulfo said on Facebook that Marcos desires to be present for the region’s relief and search and recovery efforts.
“PBBM gustong makita ng personal ang search and rescue at relief operation ng iba’t-ibang ahensya sa earthquake devastated areas,” Tulfo said.
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