Angara orders checks, aid for 6,224 quake-hit Mindanao schools

COTABATO CITY — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has ordered the immediate mobilization of safety inspections and emergency support for schools affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck near Sarangani on Monday morning, impacting over 6,000 schools across Mindanao.

In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, classes at all levels in affected areas of Mindanao have been suspended until further notice to ensure the safety of learners, teachers, and school personnel.

“Following the president’s directive, we immediately mobilized our engineers in the affected regions, particularly in DepEd Regional Office XII, to inspect school facilities impacted by the earthquake,” Angara said in a statement.

Angara, who is in Cotabato City for a school opening visit, also ordered the deployment of structural engineers from the Department of Education’s Central Office to support damage assessments and assist regional teams on the ground.

“[I] am closely monitoring developments in the affected areas. We also inspected classrooms here today following the earthquake. The safety of our learners, teachers, and school personnel remains our top priority, and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that schools are safe before classes resume,” he said.

Based on initial reports, approximately 6,224 schools across five regions were exposed to the effects of the earthquake and its aftershocks. More than 3.2 million learners and 128,000 teachers and personnel were affected.

DepEd has activated its emergency response mechanisms and is conducting rapid assessments and structural safety inspections of school facilities, particularly in areas that experienced strong ground shaking and aftershocks.

Meanwhile, Angara assured parents, teachers, and learners that assistance would be immediately provided to affected schools.

Minor repairs costing up to P50,000 may be charged against schools’ Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, allowing immediate action on urgent needs.

For major repairs and rehabilitation requiring larger funding, DepEd has separate funding mechanisms and emergency resources available to support affected schools.

The department also reminded the public that under DepEd Order No. 014, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Learning Continuity in Emergencies, the immediate priority during disasters is the protection of the lives and safety of learners and personnel.

Angara likewise directed all schools to review and strictly implement earthquake preparedness measures, including evacuation procedures and regular earthquake drills, to strengthen readiness for future emergencies.

“We understand the concern of our parents, teachers, and learners. Once everyone is safe, we will resume classes. Safety comes first,” he said.