Students of Casiguran National High School in Aurora have returned to classes even as many classrooms remain heavily damaged by Super Typhoon Uwan.
Strong winds continue to rattle loose galvanized iron sheets, making it hard for students to concentrate.
“Napakahirap po kasi hindi po makapag-focus dahil po kapag humangin may tumutunog po na ibang bubong, naiingayan po,” said student Andrei Valencia.
Another student, Shane Nazareth Canenimo, said teachers also struggle with the limited number of usable classrooms.
“Mahihirapan po magturo yung mga teacher dahil palipat-lipat ng room ang mga estudyante. Sobrang hirap lalo na po kapag nakikita namin yung mga teacher na nahihirapan sa pag-aasikaso sa paaralan po,” Canenimo added.
Teacher Yolanda Gata explained that faculty rooms were converted into temporary classrooms to accommodate students.
“Yung amin pong mga estudyante na dalawang klase na nasiraan ng room ay doon po muna sila nagkaklase sa mga faculty room, dati pong faculty ginawa muna po classroom ng mga bata para po sila ay makapasok, makapag face-to-face,” Gata said. “Nagsisiksikan muna po yung mga teachers para sa mga bata po,” she added.
Several facilities suffered severe damage, including the computer and science laboratories, Grade 7 classrooms, SDRRM room, PTA office, clinic, guidance office, and the school gymnasium roof.
“Sana maayos na para maging regular ang pasok ng mga bata,” Gata said.
At Calantas Integrated School, shifting schedules were implemented after five out of ten classrooms were destroyed. Kinder to Grade 4 attend in the morning, while Grades 5 to 9 attend in the afternoon. Only five classrooms are currently usable, as the others have collapsed ceilings.
School head Rex Delos Santos said classes cannot be postponed further due to repeated storm disruptions.
“Marami na silang naging short sa pag-aaral gawa ng mga may bagyo ng nakaraan tapos ngayon mas matindi kaya kailangan din po naming maibalik. Sana kung matutulungan kami ng madali ng gobyerno, mas mapapadali po yung pag-aaral ng mga bata,” he said, urging for immediate repairs.
During his visit to Aurora, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon instructed the district engineer to begin restoring damaged schools.
“Mayroon naman tayong quick response fund na ipinangako ng pangulo so simulan na natin yun, awa ng Diyos hindi naman gaano kadami nasira kamukha ng sa Catanduanes,” Dizon said.
According to the PDRRMO, 10 school buildings and 33 classrooms in Aurora were destroyed by Super Typhoon Uwan, with damages estimated at ₱41.2 million.
