THE BUREAU of the Treasury on Thursday said the national government will use the funds from its insurance program to cover the P308.5 million damage sustained by 45 public schools due to super typhoon Carina.

The BTr is set to file a claim under its National Indemnity Insurance Program to secure coverage for the public school buildings across eight regions affected by the typhoon.

It was learned that the NIIP was started on January providing for the comprehensive coverage for the government assets against fire, lightning, typhoons, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Around 132,862 school buildings nationwide amounting to a total of P843.11 billion insured value were part of the coverage for its pilot run.

Once a payout is confirmed, DepEd will be able to use the funds to repair and reconstruct the schools.

“I commend the Bureau of the Treasury for its proactive steps in implementing the National Indemnity Insurance Program. Protecting our national assets is crucial for ensuring the economic security of our people,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.

“Damaged school buildings pose a significant threat to this security, as they are the very places where we nurture the potential of our nation’s greatest treasure—our students,” he said.

“Poor school facilities negatively impact both teachers and students, leading to lower human capital development, reduced economic productivity, and persistent poverty. Thus, we must prioritize investing in resilient school buildings to secure a better future for our children and our country,” he added.