DepEd asked to ensure safety of students in quake-hit North Cotabato town

MANILA, Philippines—A legislator on Tuesday urged the Department of Education to ensure the safety of students in a quake-hit North Cotabato town before deciding to open classes there.

ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio said that safety should still be prioritized above ensuring that classes face less delays in Carmen town.

“The DepEd should coordinate with the relevant agencies, such as Phivolcs, NDRRMC, and DPWH and the local government, to determine when it’s safe to resume classes and get the necessary logistical and other support to address the situation.”

He said that education officials should “assess the situation and come up with appropriate measures to minimize the disruption on the education of the schoolchildren in the affected area.”

Classes have been suspended in the town of Carmen, after a 5.7 Magnitude earthquake struck the area over the weekend.

Since then, aftershocks have continued to plague the area, worrying residents and local officials of further damages to infrastructure–including school buildings.