Over 1,100 classrooms damaged in 7.8-magnitude Mindanao earthquake
TAGBILARAN CITY — A total of 1,159 classrooms across five regions in Mindanao sustained damage following the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the southwest part of Maasim, Sarangani, on Monday, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
In its Situation Report No. 4, released early Tuesday, DepEd said rapid damage assessments showed that 751 classrooms sustained minor damage, 257 suffered major damage, and 151 were destroyed.
The earthquake, which had a depth of 33 kilometers and was tectonic in origin, affected 231 public schools in 14 divisions across Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII.
READ: Magnitude 7.8 earthquake leaves 35 dead, 200 injured in Mindanao
Region XII recorded the highest number of damaged classrooms at 832, followed by Region XI with 175, Region X with 77, Region XIII with 53, and Region IX with 22.
Among the affected school divisions, Sultan Kudarat reported the highest number of damaged schools at 91, followed by South Cotabato (53), Davao de Oro (35), Valencia City (15), and North Cotabato (11).
Other affected areas included Sarangani, Bayugan City, Surigao del Sur, Davao City, Zamboanga City, Bukidnon, Davao Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Zamboanga del Norte.
DepEd said the figures remain subject to validation and further assessment by regional and division engineers as response teams continue to inspect school facilities.
The agency has mobilized its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), along with the DepEd Agile Response Team and other government agencies, to assess the damage and support ongoing response operations.
READ: DepEd: Schools hit by Mindanao earthquake rise to 8,642
DepEd also reported that several severely affected areas remain without water and electricity and continue to experience limited telecommunications services, complicating assessment and recovery efforts.
Authorities are urging schools and communities to remain alert as aftershocks are expected in the coming days./coa
HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.
In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.
Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.
The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.
