SCHOOLS in Masbate which have been damaged by Typhoon Opong are now nearing completion, Department of Education said.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced this on Monday as he led an inspection of Deped’s recovery efforts in the province.

Angara visited Masbate Comprehensive National High School and Nursery Elementary School, two of the most affected campuses, where he saw first-hand the quick progress of rehabilitation works being carried out by DepEd in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government units.

At Nursery Elementary School, minor repair of damaged roofs, ceilings, and electrical wirings has already reached 100 percent completion, while school building repairs are at 40 to 45 percent completed. At Masbate Comprehensive National High School, multi-story buildings and other structures are between 30 to 90 percent finished.

“Ang kabilin-bilin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa pagtulong sa mga naapektuhan ng kalamidad: hindi aalis ang tulong ng national government hangga’t hindi tuluyang nakakabangon ang ating mga kababayan,” Angara said.

“Sa utos ng Pangulo, agad nating sinimulan ang pagkukumpuni ng mga paaralan dito sa Masbate,” Angara added. “Gusto nating matiyak na tuloy ang pag-aaral kahit tinamaan ng bagyo, at mas handa tayo sa mga darating pang sakuna.”

DepEd data show that 1,651 classrooms—most in Masbate City—were damaged by the typhoon, with estimated losses amounting to P1.079 billion.