Schools damaged by 'Sendong' in CDO, Iligan now functioning

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Armin Luistro said yesterday that almost all schools in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City that were damaged during tropical storm “Sendong” have already recovered and are now functioning.

“Our schools are now functioning. For those who will be relocated, we will be working closely with the NHA (National Housing Authority),” he said in a phone interview.

More than 1,000 persons died and around 30,000 were displaced in these provinces during the onslaught of Sendong last December.

According to the education secretary, many schools are now preparing for the early registration of students for the coming school year on Jan. 28.

Luistro earlier ordered division heads to include in the nationwide early registration students with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities so they can be placed in special education programs. 

He said displaced students who have no permanent address could register at the school nearest to their evacuation areas.

“Parents may not know where to register their children but that is not a problem. I suggest they register where they are now,” Luistro said. 

He added, only two schools in Iligan City were destroyed but a two-story school building is being constructed in the city to service displaced students.

The Department of Education is tasked to fill the classroom backlog of 66,000 by 2013.

Luistro said that due to the huge gap in educational resources, the department welcomes donations and grants from the private sector through the department’s Adopt-a-School Program.