Flood destroys modules in Bulacan schools

Some flood-hit schools in Bulacan reported damage to properties and learning modules weeks ahead of the opening of the School Year 2023-2024.

The water level subsided in Calumpit but Calizon Elementary School (CES) remains flooded, according to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday.

“Bago po dumating ang tubig, nagtataas na po kami bawat room. First day, second day, ok pa. Nung third day na talagang biglang laki. Lubog na po kami,” Aurora Manlapig, the school caretaker, said.

(We started organizing our stuff even before the flood hit. It was fine during the first and second days but the water level increased on the third day.)

The Department of Education (DepEd) promised to repair the school properties damaged by the flood including the students’ learning modules.

“Kung di talaga aabot, kahit siguro isang linggo. Siguro maaaring mag Saturday class o kaya mag-extension kami,” said CES officer-in-charge Raoul Musni.

(If we won’t make it until the opening of the classes then we will extend for a week. We can also conduct Saturday classes or have an extension.)

Hagonoy East Central Elementary School (HECS), which served as an evacuation center during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon and Typhoons Egay and Falcon, is still reeling from the flood waters.

The school management is eyeing to change the learners’ classrooms and to have classes in shifting schedules to address this.

“We will embrace everything that is happening. At the same time, we are asking the DepEd for help and support to us,” HECS principal Felicisima Manarang said.

More than 353 schools around the country were affected by the recent rains. To fix the damage to the schools, the DepEd has allocated a P2 billion budget for the repairs.

“Sila ang priority sa disaster funds para sa repairs and kung hindi siya umabot sa opening ng classes, mayroon tayong blended learning modality na pwede nilang gamitin,” Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said.

(They are the priority for the disaster funds. If they cannot make it until the opening of the schools, then we can opt for the blended learning modality.)

The opening of enrollment and Brigada Eskwela kicked off in other public schools in the country, the report said.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News