1,106 CAR classrooms damaged by cyclones, habagat; Highest number of incidents in Abra, Baguio and Benguet — DepEd-CAR

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — More than 1,000 classrooms across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been damaged by successive tropical cyclones and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or habagat, according to the latest assessment of the Department of Education-Cordillera (DepEd-CAR).

Based on the latest DepEd-CAR report released through the Philippine Information Agency-CAR, a total of 1,106 classrooms were damaged across the region from August 2 to September 2, 2026.

The assessment covered the effects of tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng, Obet and Pilandok, as well as prolonged habagat rains.

Of the 1,106 damaged classrooms, 940 sustained major damage, 158 incurred minor damage, and eight were totally damaged.

Major damage accounted for about 85 percent of the reported cases, while minor damage comprised 14.3 percent and totally damaged classrooms less than one percent.

The highest concentration of classroom damage was reported in Abra, Baguio City and Benguet, which experienced significant effects from the successive weather disturbances.

DepEd-CAR also reported damage to more than 7,000 learning materials, 200 ICT equipment and 753 chairs.

Damage nears 10% of national total

The damage in CAR forms part of the larger nationwide impact of the recent weather disturbances.

As of September 2, the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service reported 2,243 affected schools and 11,167 damaged classrooms nationwide.

Of the national total, 6,530 classrooms sustained minor damage, 2,389 suffered major damage, and 2,248 were totally damaged.

CAR’s 1,106 damaged classrooms account for nearly 10 percent of the classrooms affected nationwide.

Central Luzon recorded the highest number of damaged classrooms nationally, with 4,025 classrooms in 622 schools.

DepEd estimated that ₱7.783 billion would be needed nationwide for the cleanup, repair and reconstruction of schools affected by the weather disturbances.

The estimated amount includes ₱65.036 million for cleanup and clearing, ₱319.97 million for minor repairs, ₱1.194 billion for major repairs, and ₱5.62 billion for reconstruction of heavily damaged school sites.

DepEd-CAR has yet to determine the total cost of damages in the Cordillera.

Regional Information Officer Cyrille Gaye Miranda, through PIA-CAR, said monitoring and validation by DepEd-CAR disaster risk reduction and management teams and engineers remain ongoing to determine the extent and cost of damage to classrooms, school facilities and equipment.

Landslides hit schools

Prolonged rains also triggered landslides and soil erosion affecting schools in several areas of the region.

DepEd-CAR recorded 24 incidents in Benguet, seven in Mountain Province, three in Abra, two in Kalinga and one in Ifugao.

The incidents added to the challenges faced by schools already dealing with damaged classrooms, learning materials and equipment.

The extent of reported classroom damage also increased compared with DepEd-CAR’s August 10 assessment, which recorded 697 damaged classrooms—598 with minor damage, 94 with major damage and five totally damaged.

Learning continuity remains a challenge

The damage has also affected the regular delivery of education in some areas.

In Benguet, face-to-face classes were suspended for most days in August due to persistent rains, with schools encouraged to adopt alternative learning modalities to allow students to continue their studies while safety concerns persisted.

DepEd has been implementing learning continuity measures in affected areas while coordinating with school division offices, local government units and other stakeholders for response and recovery efforts.

Nationally, DepEd reported that 1,748 classrooms in 442 schools were being used as temporary evacuation centers for 13,723 displaced families, while 367 public schools had suspended face-to-face classes as of September 1.

For CAR, DepEd-CAR said damage assessment and validation remain ongoing. A final regional cost estimate will be released once engineers and disaster risk reduction teams complete their evaluation.

The current 1,106-classroom figure remains subject to further validation as schools continue to report damage from the effects of the successive cyclones and prolonged habagat.