PASIG CITY, February 1, 2020— The Department of Education (DepEd) will continue its effort in rehabilitating schools and helping communities in five Batangas municipalities still affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

“Although most evacuees were already back to their respective homes, DepEd will ensure that the needs of our affected schools and learners for recovery are met,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

According to a report from DepEd CALABARZON regional director Wilfredo Cabral, most of the public schools in Lemery, Taal, Agoncillo, Laurel, and San Nicolas are still covered in thick ashfall, which prevents division offices to declare resumption of classes.

Given the current situation, DepEd will use donated funds to support community folks who are helping the cleaning drive of 86 public elementary and secondary schools. A total of Php 1.72 million will be provided to these schools.

“It is reiterated that schools must conduct parents consultation on this matter and the expenses shall be fully liquidated with all the supporting documents,” Cabral noted.

Secretary Briones also approved the recommendation of RD Cabral to extend the resumption of classes of these areas until next week or until such affected schools are safe for the learners.

These schools are instructed to adjust accordingly their school calendar and include Sundays for make up classes so as not to extend beyond April 6.

Calamity assistance for DepEd CALABARZON employees

The DepEd Provident Fund Board has approved an additional loan facility of Php 50 million for Region IV-A Provident Fund Board, according to Finance Director Anne Rachel Miguel.

Once available, the additional loan facility will serve as a standby fund in anticipation of the influx of loan availment of DepEd Region IV-A employees.

For calamity loan assistance, DepEd is downloading a separate Php 50 million additional fund to the region as standby fund. Employees are assured of a maximum amount of Php 100,000 calamity loan assistance thru their Regional Provident Fund Board.

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