Public schools and state universities hit by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng should receive funding for rehabilitation of classrooms and restoration of school equipment, Kabataan Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino today said.

According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council, there were 263 schools damaged in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, Cordillera Administrative Region and National Capital Region. “Dahil maraming kagamitan sa mga paaralan at classroom ang sinira ng magkasunod na bagyo, nararapat lamang na magkaroon ng pagtaas sa budget sa mga public school Paano makakapag-aral ang mga estudyante kung wala silang mga aklat at sira-sira ang kanilang mga classroom?” the young solon said.

The Department of Education’s Capital Outlay for 2010 decreased by 29 percent. The agency admitted that the slash in CO budget will affect flagship projects and routine uses of funds like construction of schools, classrooms. Meanwhile, state universities and colleges will not be receiving funds for construction and rehabilitation next year as the Department of Budget and Management slashed capital outlay by almost 100 percent.

During the SUCs budget deliberations in Congress, university officials from Marikina Polytechnic College (MPC) and Rizal Technological University said their schools were ravaged by the typhoon. For instance, MPC experienced a 10-feet flash flood, destroying computers, machines, equipment, supplies, libraries, etc.

“In these times, the call for greater state subsidy for education and other basic services becomes even more sound and legitimate,” Palatino said.

Balik-Eskwela relief operations

Meanwhile, Palatino also called for donations of school supplies such as notebooks, pencils and ball pens, school bags, old uniforms, textbooks, educational materials and other school paraphernalia, chalk, paper and chalkboard erasers for students and schools affected by floods.

“Classes resume this week but students and schools affected by Ondoy may not have the materials and resources to start anew,” he said. Tulong Kabataan, a youth network of volunteers, made the appeal as classes resume Monday with students and schools affected by storm “Ondoy” having no materials and resources to begin again.

Today, Tulong Kabataan brigades were dispatched to universities such as UPD, UPM, UE, Arellano, and PUP to collect donations and conduct relief operations. “Today, we mark the resumption of classes with campus clean-ups and intensified youth volunteer work.

Donations may be brought to the Tulong Kabataan Command Center at 118-B Scout Rallos, Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City. Those who want to donate can also contact the Tulong Kabataan Hotlines: (02)3944285 or email tulongkabataan@gmail.com or log on to http://kabataanpartylist.com.