THE Department of Education (DepEd) said the number of schools that incurred structural damage after a magnitude 7 earthquake struck the province of Abra on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, has increased to 164.

The agency said a total of 9,539 schools from 58 divisions were affected by the tremor, which was considered a major earthquake by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

DepEd said four schools temporarily serve as evacuation centers for the displaced residents.

It said P228.5 million is needed for the repair of the damaged schools, as well as for the establishment of new classrooms in the affected regions, particularly in the Cordillera and Ilocos.

The DepEd earlier set the opening of School Year 2022-2023 on August 22.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said they have yet to discuss if the opening of classes in the affected regions will be postponed.

He said they are still conducting assessment on the ground and studying the possibility of establishing temporary learning spaces.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the immediate response to the earthquake-hit areas to bring back normalcy among its residents. (SunStar Philippines)