The Department of Education (DepEd) has accelerated recovery operations in communities devastated by the recent typhoons, pairing clearing efforts with the rapid implementation of alternative learning modes to avoid prolonged disruptions in education.

Updates were presented during the DepEd Management Committee Meeting in Puerto Princesa City, where regional offices detailed their pre-storm preparations and ongoing efforts to sustain learning in severely affected areas.

The urgency of learning continuity was underscored Tuesday when Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on a ground inspection in Bicol. The officials visited Cararayan-Naga Elementary School in Tiwi, Albay before proceeding to a situation briefing, where local officials outlined the scale of destruction.

Region V emerged as the hardest-hit area. Reports show that 807 schools sustained damage, affecting 5,742 classrooms. Of these, 743 were totally damaged, with the biggest impacts recorded in Albay (237 classrooms), Masbate (229), and Catanduanes (190). Major damage was reported in 1,307 classrooms, while 3,664 sustained minor damage.

DepEd has downloaded ₱326 million for Region V to support repairs in 1,319 schools. Additional funding for clean-up, clearing operations, and minor repairs is expected to be released this week.

Field reports show that preparation began days before Typhoon Uwan made landfall. Several regions pre-positioned Self-Learning Modules, Learning Activity Sheets, and Dynamic Learning Program materials to ensure continuity despite power outages, flooding, and road closures. In Region V, these preemptive steps allowed schools to pivot immediately after the storm.

DepEd said most regions have resumed face-to-face classes as of 12 November 2025, including schools previously repurposed as evacuation centers.

Alongside learning continuity, regional teams have launched rapid damage assessments, clean-up drives, and coordination with local government units and volunteers to reopen campuses. Other regions shifted to blended learning using online lessons, printed modules, and SMS-based communication depending on connectivity and local circumstances.

Officials emphasized that the next phase of recovery includes building upgraded temporary learning spaces in schools that suffered major or total damage, expanding Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) training for teachers, and strengthening coordination and reporting systems with LGUs. DepEd also stressed the need for continued psychological support for learners and personnel, and efficient use of preparedness funds to speed up rehabilitation.