La Castellana seeks school extension for typhoon evacuees

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The municipal government of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, has requested the Department of Education (DepEd) to extend the stay of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in public schools being used as evacuation centers following the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino.

Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer John de Asis said about 1,500 homes across 13 barangays were destroyed by floods triggered by the typhoon on Nov. 4.

Under existing DepEd guidelines, evacuees may only stay in schools for a maximum of 15 days to minimize disruptions to classes.

With hundreds of families still unable to return home, IDPs remain housed in various evacuation centers across the municipality.

De Asis said the local government is preparing a vacant lot in Barangay Robles, where the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) will install pre-fabricated modular tents to temporarily shelter at least 100 displaced families.

Riverbanks in La Castellana and Moises Padilla have since been declared no-build zones after massive flooding across central Negros claimed 96 lives and left 40 others missing.

Meanwhile, in Moises Padilla, the local government has adopted updated learning delivery modalities for all public schools starting Dec. 1.

The resumption of face-to-face classes follows the lifting of a temporary suspension imposed due to the effects of Tropical Depression Verbena.

Through Executive Order No. 252, Series of 2025, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo approved the learning schedule recommended by Public Schools District Supervisor Gideon G. Panganiban.

The earlier suspension of classes under EO 250 was lifted based on improved weather conditions reported by PAGASA and confirmation from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office that the situation in the town has stabilized.

Under the new directive, all schools are mandated to provide a safe and conducive learning environment as classes resume.

While most schools will return to standard face-to-face instruction, several will continue using modular or blended learning, depending on localized conditions and ongoing recovery efforts.

Mayor Yulo assured continued support for DepEd to ensure schools remain safe, orderly, and fully equipped to protect both learners and teachers as Moises Padilla progresses with its recovery efforts.

La Castellana and Moises Padilla were among the worst-hit towns during flash floods at the height of Typhoon Tino on Nov. 4, 2025.