The Philippine government is accelerating reconstruction efforts in northern Cebu, where a devastating earthquake last year left thousands of classrooms in need of urgent repair. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has formally greenlit a substantial P358 million allocation to rehabilitate these educational facilities, ensuring they are operational for students ahead of the upcoming school year and the impending rainy season.
Funding and Coordination for Recovery
While the DPWH will oversee the construction and repair activities, the financial resources are being sourced from the Department of Education (DepEd). This initiative forms a critical component of a broader recovery strategy following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the region on September 30, 2025, causing extensive damage to school infrastructure.
Secretary Dizon confirmed the funding during a site inspection in Naga City on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, stating, "Just recently, I signed about roughly P358 million for the rehabilitation of the schools in northern Cebu." This announcement underscores the government's commitment to restoring normalcy in the affected areas.
Assessing the Extensive Damage
The scope of destruction is considerable, with DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez reporting that the combined effects of the September earthquake and Typhoon Tino in November have resulted in an estimated P5.2 billion worth of damage to local schools. Official reports indicate that more than 4,600 classrooms were impacted by the seismic event and its subsequent aftershocks.
Although the P358 million has been released for immediate use, additional funding may be allocated later this year to address the needs of other schools that have yet to receive support, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the recovery process.
Racing Against the Rainy Season
In parallel with school repairs, the DPWH is intensifying efforts to restore roads in northern Cebu. Secretary Dizon emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the current dry season to expedite these projects, noting that the agency faces a tight timeline to complete as much work as possible before adverse weather conditions set in.
"The challenge now to DPWH 7 is to take advantage of the remaining five months of the dry season so that when the rainy season comes, most of these projects have been completed," Dizon explained. This strategic approach aims to mitigate further disruptions and ensure safer access for communities.
Inter-Agency Collaboration for Comprehensive Recovery
Addressing the province's reconstruction requires seamless coordination among various government agencies. Dizon pointed out that while the DPWH can readily fund road repairs, effective collaboration with DepEd for schools and the Department of Health (DOH) for damaged hospitals is essential to a holistic recovery effort.
By leveraging inter-agency partnerships and optimizing the favorable dry weather, officials are working diligently to reinstate safety and normalcy for students and residents in northern Cebu, demonstrating a unified response to the region's post-disaster needs.
