Vice-President Milagros Ortiz Bosch said that the reconstruction of schools affected by yesterday’s earthquake in Puerto Plata would cost more than RD$50 million. She said that 18,000 students are without classrooms due to the damages caused. The schools affected are the Liceo Gregorio Urbano Gilbert (Plan Reforma), Jose Dubeau and the Escuela Virginia Ortea in Puerto Plata. Fortunately, the earthquake hit at 12:45am, thus no one was hurt by the collapse of several areas of the public schools.
The considerable damages sustained at the schools have led news commentators to question the construction practices of public schools and their safety. In addition to Puerto Plata schools, otheres in Villa Vasquez and Guayubin (Monte Cristi province) Villa Mella (Province of Santo Domingo), San Francisco de Macoris (Duarte province), Moca (Espaillat province), Maria Trinidad Sanchez and Azua were significantly damaged.
On a positive note, news reports say the school breakfast program has begun nationwide.