Typhoon wrecks 28 schools in Northern Iloilo

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

Schools in Northern Iloilo were not spared by Typhoon Ursula when it struck Panay Island on Christmas day.

A total of 28 schools in Northern Iloilo were damaged by Typhoon Ursula, based on the initial report of Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas.

Out of this number, 16 schools (48 classrooms) in the towns of Carles, Estancia, Balasan, Concepcion, and San Dionisio suffered major damages:

• -­Cawayan National High School (NHS); Binuluangan Integrated School (SC) Lantangan Elementary (ES); Alipata ES; Bolo ES; Batuan ES; Asluman ES; and Granada ES all located in Carles in Iloilo province
• Andres Ravena IS and Estancia ES both situated in Estancia
• Martin Azuelo Memorial School (MS) in Concepcion, Iloilo
• Batad NHS in Batad, Iloilo
• Amayong Primary School (PS) in San Dionisio, Iloilo
• Balasan NHS in Balasan

On the other hand, 12 schools in Northen Iloilo suffered minor damages particularly the roof and ceiling:

• Granada NHS – Balleteros Campus; Bancal IS; Abong ES; Carles Central School;   Tarong ES (Carles)
• Taloto-an ES; Loong NHS; Bagotao PS; Roberto H. Tirol HS (Concepcion)
• Jose Almiñana MES in Lemery, Iloilo
• Had. Conchita ES in San Dionisio, Iloilo

DepEd-6 information officer Lea Belleza said the numbers were the result of their initial assessment in the aftermath of the typhoon.

“It is based on our initial assessment. The numbers may increase as assessment is still ongoing,” she said on Thursday.

At least 19 people were reported dead and six are still missing in Panay island after destructive Typhoon Ursula (international name: Phanfone) lashed out in Capiz and northern portions of Iloilo province on Christmas day, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported on Thursday.

As of Dec. 27, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-6 recorded 19 casualties due to Ursula.

Thirteen were recorded from the Iloilo province, four from the province of Capiz and two from Aklan.

Eight remain missing from the towns of Pontevedra in Capiz (2),  Batad in Iloilo province (2), Passi City (1) and Carles in Iloilo (4).

The Office of the Civil Defense (6) also confirmed that both the province of Capiz and Aklan has been placed under state of calamity on Thursday following the recommendation of their respective disaster management councils.

The towns of Pandan in Antique, Kalibo in Aklan; and the towns of Balasan and Carles in Iloilo also declared state of calamity on Thursday.