The World Bank approved a $500 million (P29.3 billion) grant to help the Philippines rebuild schools damaged by earthquakes and typhoons. The funding, announced on June 28, will go towards the “Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools” project.

The initiative aims to create sturdier learning environments for over 700,000 students in areas frequently hit by natural disasters. 

The project will focus on repairing, rehabilitating, and retrofitting schools in typhoon-prone regions like Bicol and Central Visayas, as well as earthquake-prone areas like Cordillera Administrative Region.

“Education is a key component of human capital,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for the Philippines. “By improving the learning environment and making schools safer, children are more likely to attend classes, perform better academically, and complete their education.”

The project prioritizes not only rebuilding schools but also ensuring they can withstand future disasters. This includes improvements to the Department of Education’s maintenance protocols to ensure proper upkeep of the repaired facilities.

“By strengthening the resilience of schools, disruptions to learning caused by natural disasters can be minimized, ensuring that children can continue their education with fewer interruptions,” said Fernando Ramirez Cortes, World Bank senior disaster risk management specialist.

The World Bank’s commitment goes beyond rebuilding schools. An additional $750 million (P43.9 billion) loan aims to strengthen the Philippines’ overall economic recovery. 

This loan will focus on three areas: boosting investment in public services like healthcare, transportation, and sanitation; promoting renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal power; and improving the country’s ability to withstand future disasters and adapt to the effects of climate change.