• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Education has been asked to extend the stay of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by devastation of Typhoon Tino, in schools used as evacuation centers in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer John de Asis disclosed on Friday.
Based on the guidelines of the Department of Education, evacuees can stay in school evacuation centers for a maximum of 15 days, to minimize disruptions to the education of learners.
De Asis reported that about 1,500 homes in 13 barangays of La Castellana were destroyed by floods triggered by Typhoon Tino on November 4.
The IDPs are now staying in the different La Castellana evacuation centers.
De Asis said the local government unit of La Castellana is preparing a vacant lot in Brgy. Robles, La Castellana, where temporary pre-fabricated modular tents will be established by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Office of Civil Defense, to accommodate at least 100 homeless families.
Riverbanks in La Castellana and Moises Padilla have been declared by the government as no build zones, following the massive flooding in central Negros, which claimed the lives of 96 persons, while 40 others remain missing.
On the other hand, the local government of Moises Padilla has adopted the updated learning delivery modalities for all public schools in the municipality starting December 1.
Face-to-face classes will resume following the lifting of the temporary suspensions imposed due to the impact of Tropical Depression Verbena.
Through Executive Order No. 252, Series of 2025, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo approved the learning schedule submitted by Public Schools District Supervisor Gideon G. Panganiban of the Department of Education.
The lifting of class suspension (EO 250) was based on the latest report of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration indicating improved weather conditions, as well as the assessment of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) confirming that the situation in the municipality has stabilized.
The EO mandates all schools to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment as classes resume after recent weather disturbances.
While the majority of schools will resume standard face-to-face instruction, several others will continue with modular or blended learning, depending on their specific local conditions and ongoing recovery efforts from recent storms, Yulo said.
Yulo assured that the local government will continue supporting the Department of Education to ensure schools remain safe, orderly, and suitable for learners, and to protect teachers and school personnel as the municipality moves forward with its overall recovery efforts.*
