DepEd vows to finish Yolanda-hit classrooms by June 2015

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) is targeting to finish rehabilitation of classrooms in Yolanda-affected areas by June 2015.

 

In an interview with DZMM on Friday morning, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Planning Jesus Mateo confirmed that the 331 classrooms are expected to be in use by said target date.

 

Makeshift classrooms were constructed in affected communities as temporary learning spaces weeks after Yolanda struck the country last year.

 

Mateo noted that the private sector is continuously supporting DepEd's rehabilitation project.

 

READ: Int’l community vows to continue aid to Yolanda areas | French biz community renews commitment to help 'Yolanda' victims

 

During a cabinet meeting last Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III asked government agencies involved in Yolanda rehabilitation to give an exact date of when the program will be finished.

 

"Ang Pangulo ay hiningan ng firm commitment 'yung bawat ahensya na mag-iimplementa na bigyan siya ng definite na timeline kung kailan matatapos at ito ay sinusulat niya habang nangangako 'yung iba't ibang puno ng mga ahensya," Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson said in an interview with DZMM.

 

The housing czar admitted that rehabilitation is slow, particularly the housing program. The National Housing Authority has finished building 500 out of 205,000 needed houses while 8,000 units are ongoing construction. The housing agency promised to finish the housing program by December 2015, Lacson said.

 

RELATED: ‘We Will Rise Again,’ prayers mark 1st Yolanda anniversary