Over 6K schools, 3.2M learners affected by M7.8 Mindanao quake

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that an estimate of 6,224 schools across five regions in Mindanao were impacted by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake and aftershocks that hit Sarangani province on Monday morning, affecting over 3.2 million learners and 128,000 teachers and personnel.

READ: Phivolcs: Tsunami warning out after offshore M7 earthquake in Sarangani

In a statement Monday, DepEd declared that classes at all levels in the affected areas of Mindanao have been suspended until further notice “to ensure the safety of learners, teachers, and school personnel.”

Education Secretary Sonny Angara likewise directed the mobilization of safety checks and emergency support in all the affected schools, and the deployment of structural engineers to assess damages and assist regional teams on the ground.

“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, who is currently in Cotabato City for a school opening visit, said in the statement.

“We understand the concern of our parents, teachers, and learners. When everything is safe, we will continue our studies. Safety comes first,” he added.

According to DepEd, minor repairs costing up to P50,000 may be funded through the schools’ Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, allowing a prompt response to urgent repair and maintenance needs.

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The agency also said it has separate funding mechanisms and emergency resources available for major repairs and rehabilitation needed for the affected schools.

Mindanao earthquake

It was 7:37 a.m. this Wednesday when the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, initially reported as magnitude 7.0, struck Maasim, Sarangani, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

READ: Magnitude 7.8 quake hits Mindanao, leaving at least 12 dead, 200 injured

Phivolcs then issued a tsunami warning, directing residents in the coastal areas of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato to “immediately evacuate” to higher grounds or move farther inland. /das

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