THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Region 7 urged non-government organizations to help rebuild classrooms destroyed by Typhoon Odette.

DepEd-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez said that school repairs are essential not only for limited face-to-face classes but also for the May 2022 elections since public schools are always converted into polling precincts.

“We are appealing to all non-government organizations like foundations, possibly PTAs (Parent-Teacher Association), to help out all our schools,” Jimenez said.

The director added that only NGOs have the capacity to assist DepEd with immediate reconstruction because local government units cannot assist schools due to the election expenditure ban.

Jimenez said Typhoon Odette destroyed or damaged 2,537 classrooms in the region.

Of this number, 1,500 schools suffered major damage.