When it rains, it really pours — especially in the Philippines. As Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) lashes the country with strong winds and heavy rains, the Department of Education (DepEd) has raised serious concerns about the safety of thousands of schools sitting in high-risk areas.
According to the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), more than 10,538 schools across 113 divisions are in danger of flooding, while 12,602 schools in 103 divisions could face rain-induced landslides. That’s not just a number — that’s tens of thousands of classrooms, teachers, and learners who may need urgent support as Ramil continues to drench the archipelago.
π Ramil’s Wrath: What’s Happening Now
As of 11 a.m. on October 19, 2025, Ramil hovered near Manila Bay, moving west northwest at 15 km/h, packing 65 km/h winds and gusts of up to 90 km/h, according to Pagasa.
Signal No. 2 was raised over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and parts of Northern Luzon, while Signal No. 1 remained up in several provinces including Cagayan, Ilocos, Batangas, Cavite, and the Mindoro region.
DepEd’s initial report paints a worrying picture:
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π« 98 classrooms sustained minor damage
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π§± 12 had major damage
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π️ 38 were completely destroyed
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π° 9 WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities were also affected
π§© DepEd’s Response: “Safety First, Learning Next”
The department immediately directed schools to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and disaster councils, activate their School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (SDRRM) teams, and safeguard learning materials and equipment.
“DepEd remains dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of all learners and personnel,” the report emphasized, urging field offices to document and report incidents via the Incident Management Reporting System (IMRS).
It’s a reminder that education doesn’t stop when the storms come — but safety must come first.
π A Thought to Leave You With
It’s heartbreaking how often we see our schools double as evacuation centers instead of classrooms. As climate change intensifies, we need to invest not just in education, but in resilience — building schools that can withstand the storms of both nature and time.
Maybe someday, “back to school” won’t have to mean “back to rebuilding.” π±