The Cebu Provincial School Board (CPSB) has taken a decisive step to address the educational disruption caused by a series of natural disasters, approving a substantial P85 million supplemental budget for the construction of Temporary Learning Shelters (TLS). This urgent measure comes in response to the widespread damage inflicted on schools across the province by a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake and two subsequent storms that struck in November.
Assessing the Damage to Cebu's Schools
Led by Governor Pamela Baricuatro, the CPSB convened to analyze the full extent of the destruction. The assessment revealed a staggering scale of damage to the province's educational infrastructure. According to the initial evaluation by the Department of Education (DepEd), the disasters left 570 classrooms as totally damaged, with an additional 1,101 suffering major damage and 1,723 incurring minor damage.
This widespread destruction threatened to severely disrupt the academic calendar and learning continuity for thousands of students, making immediate intervention a top priority for provincial authorities.
The Emergency Response Plan
The primary response involves the swift establishment of 269 Temporary Learning Shelters (TLS). These structures will serve as vital temporary classrooms, allowing students to resume their studies while the DepEd undertakes the extensive process of major repairs and full reconstruction of the affected permanent school buildings.
Provincial Treasurer, Atty. Roy Salubre, provided reassuring news on the financial capacity to support this and other educational initiatives. He reported that the CPSB still has approximately P1.128 billion in available funds. Furthermore, this budget is expected to be bolstered by an additional P800 million from the province's own revenue collections.
Securing the Future of Education in Cebu
The allocation of the P85 million is a critical component of a broader financial strategy. These funds are earmarked specifically to support the educational programs and initiatives of DepEd Cebu Province. The overarching goal is clear: to ensure that no student is left behind and that the learning process continues seamlessly despite the physical damage to school infrastructure.
This proactive approach by the Cebu provincial government highlights a firm commitment to prioritizing education and mitigating the impact of natural disasters on the youth's right to learn, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
