ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday confirmed that several schools here are located in hazard-prone areas and lacked basic utilities.

The DepEd said at least 28 schools here have no water connection, 15 others have no electricity, while 32 public schools are situated in areas prone to flooding, landslides, and heavy traffic.

The department released the information as it checked readiness of schools in preparation for the opening of classes in June.

Schools identified as flood-prone are the following:
- Vitali National High School
- Vitali Central School
- Sangali National High School
- Sangali Elementary School
- Tugbungan Elementary School
- Baliwasan Central School
- San Jose Elementary School
- ZCHS Main
- Mina Elementary School
- Don Gems Elementary School
- Recodo Elementary School
- Ayala Central School
- Guiwan Elementary School

Those in landslide-prone areas are the following:
- Salum Elementary School
- Monte Central School
- Sinunuc Elementary School
- Campo Pilar Elementary School
- Mina Elementary School
- Sto. Niño Elementary School
- Cabatangan Elementary School
- Limpapa National High School
- Limpapa Elementary School
- Luyahan Elementary School
- Bagacay Elementary School
- Udjung Elementary School
- Nangka Elementary School

Schools built along congested roads are:
- Catalina Viuda de Jalon Memorial School
- Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School
- Putik Central School
- ZCHS Main

The agency did not identify which schools had no water and electricity lines.

The DepEd is still waiting for recommendations of different agencies that assessed if the schools are still safe for occupancy, said Sarah Handang, the department's Senior Education Program Specialist for Social Mobilization and Networking.

The DepEd said about 73 other schools here need additional toilet facilities, 21 schools lack classrooms, while 12 lack chairs.

Handang said the DepEd seeks to settle problems before some 230,000 students in the city return to school on June 4.