Manila, Feb. 6 -- A senator on Thursday emphasized that building climate-resilient school facilities is no longer a choice but a necessity, as the Philippines continues to face frequent natural disasters that threaten students' safety and disrupt learning.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, in a statement, also called for innovative and collaborative solutions to address the country's classroom shortage, particularly in disaster-affected areas, urging the government to explore multiple funding sources beyond the national budget.

"As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, constructing climate-resilient school buildings is no longer an option but a necessity," he said.

In 2024 alone, 1,855 schools sustained damage from natural c...