Davao Occidental Town Struggles to Find Alternative Sites for Quake-Damaged Schools

Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental is struggling to secure alternative learning spaces after school facilities suffered extensive damage from earthquakes that began in June. Some of the affected areas have been declared no-build zones, prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) central office to seek alternative locations for learning continuity. "Hinahanapan pa ng space kasi wala na area sa compound nila," said JAS Mayor Jason John Joyce in a message to MindaNews on Wednesday. Kalbay National High School (KNHS) in Barangay Kalbay, in particular, had all its structures heavily damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8, with aftershocks further crumbling the existing structures. Aside from KNHS, Fontanares High School in Barangay Sugal, Guillermo High School in Barangay Nuing, and the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology-JAS extension in Barangay Caburan Big also sustained severe damage. The resumption of classes last Monday, announced by the Davao Occidental provincial government, was complicated this week by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that canceled classes on Wednesday. "For now, I am in discussion with the school head to build makeshift classrooms while waiting for the national budget for the reconstruction," Joyce said. At KNHS, teachers and students are currently conducting learning activities under makeshift tents. This situation highlights the vulnerability of the Philippines to natural disasters and the challenges in restoring infrastructure, particularly educational facilities. While attention is often focused on the South China Sea, domestic disaster response and recovery remain pressing issues. Source: MindaNews Philippines (GN)