THE Department of Education (DepEd) needs at least P1.6 billion to repair schools damaged in the recent series of earthquakes that hit Mindanao, an official said on Monday.

Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the earthquakes destroyed 500 classrooms and caused “major damage” to 700 schoolrooms. It will take “more than a year” to replace damaged buildings, each worth P2.5 million, though cost may continue to rise.