SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUs) to ensure the immediate repair or replacement of classrooms damaged by recent tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Gatchalian said the timely restoration of damaged classrooms is crucial to ensuring the safe resumption of classes in affected areas.

According to DepEd, a total of 6,681 classrooms had been damaged as of August 14 due to the combined effects of two tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

“Tuwing bumabangon tayo mula sa mga kalamidad, kailangang agarang kumpunihin o palitan ang mga nasirang silid-aralan upang ‘wag malagay sa panganib ang mga mag-aaral dahil lamang sa mga pasilidad na hindi agad naaayos,” Gatchalian said.

He warned that failure to repair or replace damaged classrooms could further worsen the country’s existing shortage of basic education facilities.

DepEd data showed that the classroom backlog had reached 147,000 as of July last year.

Gatchalian noted that the 2026 national budget allocated P67.9 billion for basic education facilities, including funds for the replacement of school buildings.

Meanwhile, DepEd announced that P34.355 million will be used for cleanup and clearing operations in 1,195 affected schools.

Another P201.586 million has been allocated for minor repairs in 4,114 damaged classrooms.

Gatchalian said the government must act promptly to restore safe and functional learning spaces, particularly in communities still recovering from the impact of the monsoon and tropical cyclones.