SENATOR Bam Aquino has urged the Department of Education to prioritize the immediate repair and construction of classrooms damaged by recent typhoons and earthquakes to help ensure the continuity of safe and quality learning for students.

The DepEd reported that the recent earthquakes have affected around 5,000 schools across several regions, mostly in Central Visayas, Davao Region, and the Negros Island Region.

In addition, more than 5,000 classrooms sustained various damages from Typhoons Tino and Uwan in different parts of the country.

“Kailangang agarang maisaayos ang ating silid-aralan para ligtas na maipagpatuloy ng ating mga estudyante ang kanilang pag-aaral,” Aquino said, adding that schools in heavily damaged areas must be prioritized.

Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, also urged DepEd to work closely with local government units to hasten the repair and construction of classrooms so students can return to school as soon as possible.

“Mahalaga ang pagtutulungan ng DepEd at mga lokal na pamahalaan para mapabilis ang pagkukumpuni ng mga paaralan at matiyak na maayos, ligtas, at matibay ang mga silid na babalikan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he said.

Aquino recently attended the 1st Infanta Education Summit and inspected damaged classrooms at Binulasan Integrated School in Infanta, Quezon.

Based on data from local officials, he noted that in Infanta alone, around 1,000 classrooms were damaged, while the entire province of Quezon still lacks about 3,400 classrooms.

Aquino said the Senate approved an increase in the budget for classroom construction—from P13 billion to P68  billion — enough to build 26,000 to 30,000 classrooms.

“Ang susi na lang po dito: masigurado natin na ang perang iyan, hindi mapunta kung saan-saan. Mapunta po sa mga lugar na makakagawa ng classroom nang mabilis at sa tamang presyo,” he added.