School infrastructure damage caused by former Tropical Cyclone “Maymay” and the southwest monsoon (habagat) has escalated significantly, with the Department of Education (DepEd) recording 3,924 affected classrooms as of Monday, August 10—up from the 2,424 reported just a day prior.
According to DepEd’s 8 a.m. situation report, the destruction spans 722 public schools, comprising 751 completely destroyed classrooms, 818 with major structural damage, and 2,355 with minor damage. Non-infrastructure losses were also substantial, including 5,368 chairs, 380 ICT equipment units, and 6,227 instructional materials.
Additionally, 52 schools are currently functioning as evacuation centers, utilizing 239 classrooms to shelter 1,057 displaced families.
“As of today, the combined effects of Southwest Monsoon and former Tropical Cyclone Maymay left damages on 722 schools—affecting 751 totally damaged, 818 major damaged, and 2,355 minor damaged classrooms,” the agency reported.
“Fifty-two schools are currently being used as evacuation centers, with 239 classrooms being used to accommodate 1,057 families,” it added.
To mitigate widespread educational disruptions across Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, DepEd directed field offices and academic institutions to implement its Education in Emergencies framework in accordance with Office of the President Memorandum Circular No. 123.
The guidelines instruct schools in affected jurisdictions to transition to alternative learning modalities unless local government authorities declare otherwise.
Central to this response is the agency’s “4H” protocol—Hinto (Pause), Hinga (Breathe), Hinay (Slow down), and Hayo (Proceed)—designed to guide local school administrators in determining appropriate learning delivery based on safety, resource availability, and local field conditions.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the policy gives schools necessary flexibility while prioritizing the well-being of personnel and students.
“Kapag malakas ang ulan, baha ang daan, o may risk sa safety ng learners at teachers, hindi puwedeng one-size-fits-all ang decision,” he said in a statement.
“Kailangan malinaw ang batayan: ligtas ba, kaya ba, at anong klaseng learning support ang angkop? Iyan ang layunin ng 4H framework — gabayan ang schools kung kailan tutuloy, kailan babagalan, kailan hihinga, at kailan kailangang huminto muna.”
Under the framework, Hinto mandates a complete suspension of academic tasks during unsafe conditions, while Hinga prioritizes psychosocial support, wellness checks, and light activities.
Hinay allows modified synchronous or asynchronous instruction under reduced academic pressure, and Hayo signals a safe return to regular, in-person instruction.
DepEd reiterated that schools must not enforce standard academic workloads if student safety or mental well-being is compromised, urging close coordination between local administrators, disaster risk management offices, and local government units to gauge the safest path forward.