President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the opening of classes in public schools will push through as planned, but the decision to postpone for areas hit-hard by Super Typhoon “Carina” would depend on school authorities.

In a chance interview during his site visit in the storm-stricken Rizal on Friday, July 26, Marcos instructed the Department of Education (DepEd) to do everything that it can to resume classes on July 29.

“As much as possible. Hangga’t maaari. If the school buildings are in [good] condition to take classes, they will do it,” he said.

“It will be up to the school to decide kung kaya o hindi. Siguro ‘yung iba mapipilitan, they will conduct classes outside the school building, makapagklase lang. Tingnan natin,” he said.

Several schools have either been damaged or used as makeshift homes for residents living in low-lying areas as the southwest monsoon intensified by the typhoon unleashed torrential rains and triggered massive floods in various parts of the country on July 24.

Based on the latest government data, around 90 schools in nine regions, including Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas were affected by the calamity.

Around 324 schools are also being used as evacuation centers in six regions. (PNA)