In response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the needs of the victims of disasters, Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the opening of a flood-resilient school building and relief operations in the towns of Masantol and Macabebe in the province of Pampanga.
In Masantol, Angara was joined by Pampanga 4th District Representative Anna York Bondoc, DepEd Region III Assistant Regional Director Jessie Amin, and Schools Division Superintendent Romeo Alip in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new school building at Masantol High School.
The building is designed to withstand floods and is part of DepEd’s broader initiative to make learning spaces across the country disaster resilient.
“We must adapt our policies.”
“Yung nakita nating classroom sa Masantol, I think ‘yun ‘yung talagang magiging modelo for flood-prone areas. Sa Bicol, dito, sa Bulacan. ‘Yan din ang gusto ng Pangulo, na may permanent solutions na tayo—hindi yung nag-adjust. We must adapt our policies,” the education chief said.
After the opening, the education head held a dialogue with teachers, parents, and community members affected by the flooding at a roundtable forum inside the school.
He also distributed food packs and essential supplies to teachers and non-teaching personnel affected by the disaster.
According to Angara, the Department of Education responded quickly and comprehensively during the disaster, in accordance with the President’s order.
DepEd’s activities include damage assessments, psychosocial support, and ensuring the continuation of learning in the midst of a crisis.
“Sinigurado ng DepEd na may agarang tugon at aktwal na pagdalaw sa inyo.”
“Kapag may kalamidad, una nating tanong: ligtas ba ang mga paaralan? Kumusta ang ating mga guro at kawani? Kaya’t sinigurado ng DepEd, alinsunod sa utos ng Pangulo, na may agarang tugon at aktwal na pagdalaw sa inyo ngayon,” said Angara, who also visited San Isidro Elementary School and San Nicolas Elementary School.
At Macabebe Elementary School, he also led the distribution of another round of relief packs. More than 2,000 food packs were distributed to teachers, non-teaching staff, and their families across the province.
At the end of his visit, Angara reiterated the government’s overall support for education, especially in times of disaster.
“Hindi natin kayang pigilan ang bagyo, pero kaya nating ihanda ang bansa. Basta’t magkakasama tayo — DepEd, LGU, Kongreso, at mga guro — walang hindi kakayanin,” he concluded.
