DepEd data: Typhoon damage to learning materials affected P567M

MANILA, Philippines – Damage from recent typhoons to learning materials amounted to more than P560 million, according to data from the Department of Education (DepEd).

During a Senate hearing on Friday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian showed figures that DepEd had sent to his office on the cost of damage from the typhoons that hit the country from late October through this month.

“I just want to implore the department to prioritize self-study modules (SLMs),” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on basic education.

He then presented a table showing that recent typhoons left damage to learning materials totaling P567.89 million.

These damaged learning materials include more than 1.6 million SLMs estimated at P55.08 million; more than 111,000 books estimated at P11,289 million; and more than P501.52 million in computers and laptops.

This photo shows the table presented by the Chairman of the Senate Basic Education Committee, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, during a hearing on Friday, November 27, 2020. The table presents the cost of damage to learning materials caused by the typhoons Recent

While Gatchalian acknowledged the “significant” damage caused by typhoons to school infrastructure, he said that DepEd should prioritize restoring SLMs and other learning materials.

“If you look at the SLMs and the books it’s pretty manageable, it’s P66 million [in total]. This is what I want to implore for the learning to continue as many of our evacuees have returned home. What they need to get on with their lives is a copy of their modules, ”he said.

“Those naman schools will not be used yet,” he added, referring to the cancellation of face-to-face classes due to the pandemic.

However, the senator said the Senate would make sure there were sufficient funds to repair schools damaged by typhoons.

“We will make sure we have sufficient funds to repair our schools next year. Next year, we will have around P4.7 billion for school repairs. I know it is not enough … but we will continue to seek funds to repair our schools, ”he said.

“The immediate need will be the SLM and books for them (students) to continue learning,” he added.

The Undersecretary of Education, Nepomuceno Malaluan, agreed with Gatchalian in addressing the immediate needs of the students.

“We agree on the urgency of providing financial support at the local level to meet immediate needs. I mentioned earlier that we made supplemental discharges (of funds) for these areas, ”Malaluan told the senators.

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