Opong, habagat damage 1,370 classrooms impacting 13.37M learners

Severe Tropical Storm Opong and the southwest monsoon have caused damage to 1,370 classrooms nationwide, impacting approximately 13.37 million learners.

Of the damaged classrooms, 891 sustained minor damage, 225 had major damage, and 254 were totally destroyed.

The weather disturbance also affected around 569,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel from 23,796 public schools across 13 regions.

Most of the affected students came from the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, and MIMAROPA.

At least 121 schools are currently being utilized as evacuation centers for families displaced by the storm.

DepEd is coordinating with local government units and humanitarian partners for rapid damage assessments, to provide resources and technical support, and to prepare for the resumption of classes.

Opong exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning.

Separately, the NDRRMC reported that tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, Opong, and the Habagat affected 738,714 families, resulting in 26 fatalities, 33 injured, and 14 missing individuals.