Cebu schools: Capitol starts building 269 temporary learning shelters

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government has begun constructing 269 temporary learning shelters to help restore classroom spaces that the magnitude 6.9 Cebu earthquake in September last year damaged.

The initiative is part of the province’s recovery efforts. Thousands of classrooms remain unusable nine months after the disaster destroyed infrastructure across northern Cebu.

Dennis Pastor, head of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said that work on the alternative learning facilities is underway in several municipalities.

“These are modular units that can be constructed in two to three weeks. Some have begun construction, while some are still under bidding,” Pastor said during a news forum on Tuesday, June 16.

Temporary classrooms, for now

The prefabricated structures will serve as temporary classrooms while the Department of Education (DepEd) carries out rebuilding works in affected schools, he said.

READ: Temporary learning spaces set for students in disaster-hit Cebu schools

Pastor clarified that the shelters have not yet been occupied by students.

The Cebu Provincial School Board earlier approved an ₱85-million supplemental budget for the construction of the temporary learning shelters.

Based on DepEd Cebu Province’s assessment, the earthquake destroyed 570 classrooms, caused major damage to 1,101 classrooms, and left 1,723 classrooms with minor damage.

Temporary learning shelters

Tomas Pastor, chief of the Education Support Services Division, earlier said that several public schools remain under rehabilitation after sustaining damage from both the earthquake and Typhoon Tino last November 5.

READ: Public schools in Central Visayas lack 10K classrooms — DepEd 7

Some schools, particularly in northern Cebu, continue to operate under alternative learning arrangements while repairs remain ongoing.

Beyond the education sector, the provincial government has also started restoring critical infrastructure damaged by the earthquake.

Rebuilding, repairs continue

Pastor said that the September 30 quake also destroyed a total of 33 bridges in the province.

Of these, 13 are being rebuilt by the provincial government, while the Department of Public Works and Highways is handling the remaining 20 bridges and road projects.

He added that rehabilitation efforts also include restoring the road leading to Barangay Mulao, a mountainous village in Compostela town.

Pastor shared that Cebu will need an estimated ₱19 billion to fully recover from the earthquake.

Cebu schools, other infra need national support

However, he said that the provincial government can only allocate about ₱750 million from its existing budget for rehabilitation efforts.

“They have to rely on national support… There is still a lot that needs to be done: agriculture, [damaged] cultural heritage, piers. It’s a long way to recovery,” Pastor said.

READ: Cebu needs ₱19 billion for earthquake recovery

He said significant work remains across multiple sectors as authorities continue rebuilding damaged communities.

Meanwhile, damage assessment for Typhoon Tino remains ongoing.

Financial aid ongoing

Pastor said that the Office of Civil Defense is leading the post-disaster assessment because of the wider areas affected by the typhoon that struck the country in November.

Financial assistance for earthquake-hit residents in northern Cebu has also continued under the provincial government’s recovery program led by Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

Each beneficiary will receive ₱10,000 in cash and 10 kilograms of rice.

As of this report on Tuesday, June 16, the aid has reached affected residents in Bogo City and the municipalities of Medellin, Daanbantayan, San Remigio, Tabogon, and Borbon.

Provincial officials said that recovery efforts remain ongoing nine months after the earthquake, alongside initiatives aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness.

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