The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday that majority of schools in Metro Manila now have adequate water supply.

DepEd said that classes are being held in all schools, including those in areas experiencing water shortage.

Reports submitted to Education Secretary Armin Luistro by school division superintendents in Metro Manila through DepEd National Capital Region director Flordeliza Magday showed that most schools in Metro Manila that had reported water shortage now have enough supply of water.

“They reported that our teachers, school medical and maintenance personnel and school heads are working with local government executives in areas affected by limited water supply to help find means in keeping our schools in good sanitary condition,” Luistro said.

“The local government units (LGUs) up to the barangay level help these schools by providing them water,” he said.

In Payatas Elementary School, water is supplied through the initiative of the barangay captain four times a day from 9 a.m. or during morning recess; 12 noon or during lunch break; 3 p.m. or during afternoon recess, and 6 p.m. when classes end.

Luistro said the school nurses and doctors are making their rounds in schools to monitor any incidence of illnesses.

“These are diseases not only brought by shortage of water but also those commonly occurring during the rainy season,” he said.

Earlier, it has been reported that some schools in Metro Manila have been suspending their classes due to water shortage. Based on data from DepEd as of last July 22, it has been reported that 13 elementary and 9 secondary schools have manageable water supply and sanitation; 34 elementary and 12 secondary schools have limited water supply, and 12 elementary and 2 secondary schools have no water supply in Caloocan City.

In Malabon City, it was reported that there have been frequent interruption and scarcity of water in most Elementary Schools (ES) including: Malabon ES; Santulan ES; Panghulo ES; Panghulo I ES; Damplait ES; and Damplait I ES in District I; Tañong ES; Tañong I ES; Tonsuya ES; Longos ES and Imelda ES in District II; A. Rodriguez ES; S. Syjuco ES; Niugan ES; Muzon ES; Concepcion ES; Dela Paz ES; and R. Camus ES in District III; Bagong Lote ES, Tinajeros ES, Tinajeros I ES, Potrero ES, and Potrero I ES, in District IV; and Acacia ES; Catmon ES; E. Delos Santos ES; and Maysilo ES in District V. Some secondary (high) schools in Malabon also experience water shortage, including Malabon National High School (NHS), Malabon NHS- Longos Annex, Tañong NHS, Panghulo NHS, Potrero NHS, Tinajeros NHS, and Tugatog NHS.

In Las Piñas City, all schools have water supply while in Makati City, all school heads in 38 schools reported that they have no water problem. In Mandaluyong City, reports say that 21 schools are in good state of sanitation, while in Manila, 40 elementary and 17 secondary schools reported good water supply and sanitation; 27 elementary and 14 secondary schools have manageable water supply and sanitation, and 4 elementary and 1 secondary school have limited water supply.

In Marikina City, DepEd said that 17 elementary and 14 secondary schools in the division have good water supply and sanitation, while in Muntinlupa City, schools get water from deep wells.

In Navotas City, all public elementary and secondary schools have classes. However, there are private schools without classes including the Gov. Andres Pascual College, Miraculous Infant Jesus Learning Center, and San Jose Academy. In these schools, it was reported that schools get water from deep wells, while the students are advised to bring their own water containers.

“Mineral water is bought from the school canteen, and it was advised that no cooking should take place at the school canteen yet. To have supply of water during daytime, water is collected the night before,” said Luistro.

In Parañaque City, 21 elementary and 10 high schools have adequate water supply but none is potable, while in Pasay City, 15 schools have normal supply, 9 experience low supply and 2 have no supply. However, two special schools have normal water supply.