THE DEPARTMENT of Education extended relief assistance and conducted psychosocial interventions in schools and field offices affected by Typhoon Odette.

“We have deployed personnel to facilitate the processing and transport of donations according to our assessment. We assure our stakeholders that immediate funding for interventions in the affected regions shall be delivered as soon as possible,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

To obtain data on the extent of damage in affected regions, divisions and schools, the department, through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, activated the Rapid Assessment of Damages Report.

The DepEd Central Office facilitated the downloading of P3.6 million for clean-up and minor repairs. Support funds amounting to P10.2 million were also allocated for response interventions to affected regions. The money can be used for the procurement of learners’ and teachers’ kits, provision of psychological first aid, and emergency school feeding programs.

The agency, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Logistic Cluster, also transported various donations from its partners, such as Colgate- Palmolive Philippines, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Laboratories, Inc., Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Schools Division Office of Pasig City, and Save More to the affected regions.

In 11 regions, 121 divisions, 29,671 schools, and 12,029,272 learners were affected by Typhoon Odette.

Briones thanked the department’s partners who sent supplies and groceries for learners, teachers, and non-teaching personnel.