Education in Crisis, Compassion in Action: DepEd Mobilizes Lifeline for Schools and Personnel Ravaged by Typhoons

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In the wake of destruction brought by Tropical Depression Dante, Tropical Storm Emong, and the relentless Habagat rains, the Department of Education (DepEd) has risen to meet one of the gravest tests to the nation’s academic continuity. With floodwaters still receding and classrooms battered by wind and rain, the call to rebuild—and to protect the future of learning—has never been louder.

On July 24, 2025, in the heart of Makati City, DepEd drew a clear line in the mud left by devastation: No Filipino learner, teacher, or school shall be left behind.

At the center of this renewed national commitment is Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the country’s top disaster response officials in a high-level National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) meeting. Their mission: mobilize immediate, targeted aid and accelerate recovery in the hardest-hit educational zones.

“The President is deeply concerned not only for the safety of our learners and personnel but also for the continuity of their education,” said Secretary Angara. “Hindi po natin pababayaan ang ating mga paaralan, guro, at estudyante sa gitna ng kalamidad. We will do everything to help them rise, rebuild, and resume their vital mission of education.”

Numbers That Tell a Story of Loss—and Resolve

As of July 23, 6:00 PM, the damage assessment paints a sobering picture:

1,876 classrooms sustained minor damage

562 classrooms reported major structural damage

531 classrooms are totally wrecked, beyond salvage

232 hygiene facilities—critical for post-pandemic sanitation—were damaged

But behind every number is a story: a teacher trying to save books from rising waters, a child whose only classroom is now a pile of debris, a community gathering under makeshift tarpaulins to preserve a semblance of learning.

Rapid Response, Concrete Support

The Department’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) has initiated an urgent rollout of response funds for cleanup and clearing operations. Regional and division offices have activated contingency plans, safeguarded learning materials, and intensified coordination with local disaster councils.

Infrastructure recovery is being fast-tracked in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with Quick Response Funds (QRF) set to fuel rebuilding efforts in ravaged schools.

Moreover, DepEd is leveraging its collaboration with the GSIS and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) under the National Indemnity Insurance Program (NIIP) to ensure that public school buildings have access to comprehensive insurance coverage. This guarantees compensation for destruction caused by natural disasters, lightning, and fire.

Aid Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Compassion for Educators

Recognizing that disasters affect not just structures but the very people who sustain the education system, DepEd has expanded its support for personnel:

Teachers and staff in calamity-declared areas may now avail of DepEd’s Provident Fund Loan

Calamity Leave of 30 days is available for affected personnel

GSIS Calamity Loans are being processed with the help of DepEd’s Human Resource units

For those who suffered physical harm, the Group Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) policy covers up to ₱100,000 in case of accidental death or dismemberment, and up to ₱30,000 for accident-related medical treatment

This all-hands-on-deck approach underscores a fundamental truth: education cannot wait—not even in the face of a calamity. And no teacher, staff member, or student should face this hardship alone.

A Nation Rebuilding, One Classroom at a Time

In every typhoon that passes, every flood that recedes, and every chalkboard that gets wiped clean for a new day, there lies the collective spirit of resilience. DepEd’s swift and multi-layered response affirms that education is not just about lessons learned in school—it’s about the unwavering commitment to learning even in the darkest of times.

As the Department continues to work closely with regional offices and frontline educators, the message is clear: hope survives in every rebuilt classroom, and the future remains firmly in our grasp.

The storm may have tried to silence the voices of learning, but DepEd, under Secretary Angara’s leadership, is ensuring they are heard louder than ever before.

Wazzup Pilipinas is proud to stand with every Filipino learner, educator, and school that dares to dream, rebuild, and rise again.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.