OMPONG'S ONSLAUGHT. Typhoon Ompong blown off roofings and shattered windows in some schools of Ilocos Norte as it pummeled northern Luzon with strong winds and heavy rains on Saturday (Sept. 15, 2018). (Photo courtesy: Ilocos Norte Schools Division Office)
LAOAG CITY -- Classes in both public and private schools in the entire province remain suspended on Monday following the devastation caused by Typhoon Ompong over the weekend.
'Ompong' left 19 primary and secondary public schools in the province, with mostly blown off roofings, broken glass windows; and drenched instructional materials with an initial estimated damage of PHP12.6 million.
Vilma Eda, Schools Division Superintendent of Ilocos Norte, reported Monday that among the schools that incurred major damages to its classrooms are the Bingao and Asuncion Elementary Schools in San Nicolas, Saoit Elementary School in Burgos, Caparispisan Elementary School in Pagudpud, Nagbacalan and Salbang Elementary Schools in Paoay, Malaguip Intergrated School, Sarrat National High School, Vintar Elementary School and Ablan Central School, also in Burgos town.
Even the roofing and ceiling of the Ilocos Norte Schools Division building in Laoag was not spared from the typhoon's fierce winds, causing an estimated damage of PHP3 million.
For the safety of its learners and for the continuing damage assessment to other schools left with no power and telecommunication signals, Eda urged school officials to accomplish immediately their Revised Rapid Assessment of Damages Report to be submitted to the Central office the soonest possible time.
“If there are teachers and staff whose homes were damaged or are in need of assistance, please let us know,” Eda added. (PNA)
