MANILA, Oct. 20 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) has released PHP14.4 million for minor repairs and cleanup of schools in Masbate damaged by Severe Tropical Storm Opong, the agency announced Monday.

The funds were downloaded to the Schools Division Offices of Masbate and Masbate City as part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara personally inspected the repair progress at Masbate Comprehensive National High School and Nursery Elementary School-two weeks after an earlier visit with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Oct. 1.

Repairs are ongoing for schools that sustained an estimated PHP1.079 billion in classroom damage, mostly in Masbate City.

"Sa utos ng Pangulo, agad nating sinimulan ang pagkukumpuni ...