Education Secretary Sonny Angara has asked Malacañang to expand emergency labor support through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program to speed up the cleanup and restoration of public schools affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and Tropical Storm Maymay.
The proposal is part of Brigada Eskwela 2.0, which aims to establish a year-round recovery mechanism that will allow schools to respond more quickly to disasters and safely resume operations.
Angara thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis N. Tolentino for supporting inter-agency efforts to assist affected schools.
“While clearing efforts have been instrumental, the scale of the damage underscores the need for additional inter-agency assistance and resource augmentation to expedite debris removal, cleanup, and the restoration of safe and functional learning spaces,” Angara said.
He added that Brigada Eskwela should continue beyond the start of classes, noting that disasters can happen at any time. Through Brigada Eskwela 2.0, DepEd aims to create a year-round system for school cleanup, recovery, and safe reopening after disasters.
Tolentino said DOLE is ready to work with DepEd through TUPAD, which provides temporary employment while helping restore safe and functional learning spaces.
The DepEd-DOLE collaboration for Brigada Eskwela has expanded from an initial target of 5,000 public schools to more than 9,300 schools nationwide, benefiting around 171,000 workers.
DepEd noted that the expanded response could be supported by the remaining balance of the ₱2-billion TUPAD allocation for Brigada Eskwela, with around ₱1.09 billion already utilized or earmarked.
As of August 11, the enhanced southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Maymay had resulted in in-person class suspensions in 9,096 public schools across eight regions, affecting more than 6.9 million learners and 293,920 personnel.
Initial assessments showed that 3,348 classrooms sustained minor damage, with an estimated ₱27 million needed for cleanup and clearing operations and ₱161.6 million for minor repairs.
Angara proposed expanding TUPAD deployment for clearing operations and extending assistance to 171 public schools currently being used as evacuation centers to help maintain sanitation, safety, and upkeep.
He also recommended coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Cash-for-Work program to prioritize parents and guardians of affected learners, providing immediate income support while mobilizing communities in school restoration efforts.
DepEd is likewise coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to deploy heavy equipment for large-scale debris removal in severely affected areas as part of a broader recovery effort.
