(GMA News) Almost P1.3 billion would be needed for the repair and construction of over 9,000 schools affected by Wednesday’s magnitude 7 earthquake in northern Luzon, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The DepEd on Friday said 9,539 schools have been affected by the strong tremors while 226 were damaged. Of which, 132 were from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 49 were from Ilocos Region, 25 from Cagayan Valley Region, 18 from Central Luzon Region, one in Metro Manila, and one in CALABARZON.

At least 442 classrooms were totally damaged while 636 need major repair work.

“Accordingly, an estimated Php 1.298 billion is needed for the repair and reconstruction of totally and partially major damaged classrooms,” DepEd said in a statement.