In the wake of Super Typhoon Egay’s devastating impact on Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, where floodwaters engulfed school buildings, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has strongly advocated for the construction of climate-resilient educational facilities across the Philippines. Highlighting the urgency of the situation on February 6, 2025, Gatchalian stressed that such measures are essential, not optional, given the country’s vulnerability to frequent natural disasters that jeopardize student safety and interrupt education.
Gatchalian’s call to action comes as the nation grapples with a significant classroom shortage, particularly in areas hit hardest by disasters. He has urged the government to seek diverse funding avenues outside the national budget to address this pressing issue. The senator’s remarks underscore the critical need for innovative and collaborative approaches to ensure the safety and continuity of education in the face of natural calamities.
The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that in 2024, natural disasters damaged 1,855 schools, necessitating PHP6.6 billion for repairs and PHP5.3 billion to replace 1,846 classrooms. Despite an increase in the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to PHP3 billion, the allocated budget falls short of what is needed to fully restore the affected educational institutions.
In response, DepEd has partnered with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center to expedite the construction of 15,000 disaster-resilient classrooms, which will benefit 1,600 schools across nine regions. Additionally, the implementation of Republic Act 12076, known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, aims to establish permanent evacuation centers, thereby preventing schools from being used as temporary shelters during emergencies.
Gatchalian has also proposed a collaborative program between local government units (LGUs) and the national government to share the responsibility of building schools. This initiative is designed to accelerate the simultaneous construction of disaster-resilient classrooms, ensuring that students have safe and robust learning environments. The senator emphasized the importance of exploring multiple solutions to make significant strides in safeguarding the educational infrastructure against future disasters.