Education Secretary Sonny Angara reported on Monday that several schools damaged by Typhoon Opong in Masbate province are now nearing completion of repair works, with some already fully restored.
Angara visited Masbate Comprehensive National High School and Nursery Elementary School, two of the most affected campuses, where he saw first-hand the quick progress of rehabilitation works being carried out by the Department of Education (DepEd) in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units.
At Nursery Elementary School, minor repair of damaged roofs, ceilings, and electrical wirings has already reached 100 percent completion, while school building repairs are at 40 to 45 percent completed. At Masbate Comprehensive National High School, multi-story buildings and other structures are between 30 to 90 percent finished.
DepEd data show that 1,651 classrooms — most in Masbate City — were damaged by the typhoon, with estimated losses amounting to P1.079 billion.
The agency has already downloaded P14.4 million to the Schools Division Offices of Masbate and Masbate City for cleanup and minor repairs and has requested an additional P23.4 million to sustain ongoing rehabilitation.
The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service has also allocated 20 upgraded temporary learning spaces in the ongoing emergency procurement to accommodate learners from schools still under repair.
DepEd said it expects most of the remaining major repair works to be completed between December 2025 and February 2026, while funding for the replacement of totally damaged classrooms is being programmed under the Basic Education Facilities Fund 2026 and the Quick Response Fund 2026.
The agency has likewise directed its regional offices in Cebu and Davao to expedite the assessment and repair of schools affected by the recent earthquakes.