DEPARTMENT of Education Secretary Leonora Briones successfully proceeded with all the scheduled activities in Negros Oriental to further strengthen the basic education programs in the province despite being hit by Typhoon Odette.

“Despite the typhoon and the challenges we are experiencing right now, we still have to ensure that our teachers, personnel, and learners are being assisted in delivering quality basic education,” Briones said.

Both DepEd, and the Local Government of Dumaguete City agreed to proceed with the hosting of the ASEAN Schools Games scheduled on November next year, which highlighted the secretary’s visit in the region.

Aside from it, the DepEd chief also consulted the Local Government of Canlaon City on the necessary actions moving forward for the newly-established Schools Division Office.

Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Revsee Escobedo visited the Olympia Elementary School, a Last Mile School in Bais City, to formally turnover the agency’s early Christmas gifts to students.

During the third day of the weeklong visit, Briones herself gave school supplies, school bags, and shoes to the learners of Polo Elementary School, and met the teaching and non-teaching personnel in Tanjay South Central School and Schools Division Office of Tanjay City.

Briones on Thursday spearheaded the inauguration of a three-unit, three-story school buildings with 12 classrooms, the groundbreaking of the Central Visayas’ Regional Sub-Office, and the first-ever Gabaldon Heritage Week at Dumaguete City National High School.

“After this visit, we will make sure to go to the other regions in the country to oversee the current situation in the area, and to monitor the implementation of the limited face-to-face classes, and other learning delivery modalities,” said the secretary.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Odette in the province, Briones is also scheduled to check the facilities and school buildings of the affected schools around the province.