CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The post-disaster recovery programs for the schools affected by the April 22 6.1 magnitude earthquake was initiated by the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office III.
A Psychological First Aid Training for School Guidance Counselors and Coordinators in Central Luzon was held on August 5-7 at the National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines (NEAP)-Region III in Angeles City through the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Services (DRRMS) Division of the DepEd Central Office.
“We want to capacitate our school guidance counselors to provide the needed psychosocial support to the learners, teachers and even school officials after the traumatic experience relative to the 6.1 magnitude earthquake,” said Nicolas Capulong, DepEd OIC-regional director.
“After the training, these personnel shall be going around the affected schools to conduct debriefing and other post-disaster activities,” she added.
Some 62 registered guidance counselors and 38 school coordinators joined the training which includes topics on mental health and psychosocial support services, psychological first aid and simulation exercises.
Meanwhile, the sum of P410 million was requested for the repair and new construction of a total of 485 classrooms in 110 school sites in Central Luzon by DepEd 3.
At least 319 classrooms in 68 school sites need repair and rehabilitation while 166 classrooms in 42 school sites need new buildings. Among the provinces, Pampanga has the most number of repair and construction needs with a total of 168 classrooms in 27 school sites.
