Affected residents in Surigao (1st wave) and Kapalayan, Surigao City (2nd wave) receive cash and goods from the Division of Bukidnon, Region X, during a rehabilitation and recovery operation.
After the Tropical Storm Odette in Northern Mindanao in December 2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region X rose above the ravages of the natural calamity.
Some learners, teachers, staff, schools, and communities experienced damage and losses, particularly in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, El Salvador City, Gingoog City, Iligan City, Misamis Oriental, and Oroquieta City.
Before the onset of TS Odette, DepEd X, spearheaded by Regional Director Dr. Arturo B. Bayocot, CESO III, and Assistant Regional Director Dr. Victor G. De Gracia Jr., CESO V, prepared its personnel and selected schools as evacuation centers for immediate response and continued monitoring of the typhoon.
There were about 325 schools used as evacuation centers, which were decamped two or three days after the typhoon.
The 14 Schools Division Offices (SDOs), through their Rapid Assessment of Damage Report (RADaR), declared 77 damaged schools, particularly in their classrooms and facilities, including furniture and instructional materials like books, self-learning modules, LCD projectors, computers, and printers.
Hence, the affected schools initiated immediate reconstruction and repairs charged to the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE); some schools tapped the support of their Local Government Units (LGUs) and other stakeholders like parents, private partners, and volunteers.
Likewise, the affected schools reinforced their clean-up and repair initiatives through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) funds to assist those with fallen trees and hazardous and risky-damaged structures like roofing and almost collapsed perimeter fences and gates.
Moreover, DepEd Region X extended assistance to some affected areas in CARAGA.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Division of Misamis Occidental, through The 7th Chord, composed of teachers, principals, and school heads, initiated a digital benefit concert to help DepEd-Siargao in its relief operations.
The humanitarian initiative generated a total of P148,466.90, which was handed to DepEd-Siargao on January 13 during a ceremonial turn-over.
The Division of Misamis Oriental, through its Random Act of Kindness (RAK) initiative, distributed goods at Kibanban Integrated School (KIS), Balingasag Misamis Oriental.
The Misamis Oriental National High School (MONHS) also gave school supplies and snacks to the KIS learners. There were three totally damaged classroom buildings in KIS, with heavily flooded classrooms and mud puddles. Some communities experienced electric and water supply disruption with their houses washed out.
The Dampil National High School (DNHS) also gave some health kits to the KIS learners.
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) – Balingasag North also donated three boxes of bond paper to KIS.
Meanwhile, the Division of Bukidnon also donated cash and goods in Surigao (1st wave) and Kapalayan, Surigao City (2nd wave) with goods such as rice, water, vegetables, fruits, and Jollibee packs. The Division also donated P66,720.00 and sacks of clothing. │ Ricardo G. Dragon
