Education Secretary Sonny Angara — Photo from DepEd Philippines/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has directed a comprehensive disaster response for 267 schools heavily affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, deploying emergency classrooms, learning packets, and clean-up operations to the affected areas.
In response to this crisis, Secretary Angara emphasized that while resource deployment is fast-tracked, the immediate safety and welfare of the academic community remain the agency’s paramount priorities.
“In line with President (Ferdinand) Bongbong Marcos’ directive for the government to respond swiftly during disasters, we are using concrete data to ensure that timely and appropriate assistance reaches affected communities,” Angara said.
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“Our priority right now is the safety and welfare of our teachers and students. We first need to stabilize and normalize the situation on the ground before we can safely restore the regular flow of education in classrooms,” he added.
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The massive mobilization followed a powerful earthquake in Maasim, Sarangani, which struck at around 7:30 AM on June 8, 2026, just as schools were holding their opening-day flag ceremonies.
To protect the welfare of learners, DepEd enforced class suspensions across 8,208 schools, while 818 schools have already resumed in-person classes as of June 9.
Initial assessments revealed that 1,391 classrooms suffered varying degrees of structural damage across 267 public schools in 15 schools divisions across 14 provinces spanning five regions, with Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato recording the highest number of affected schools.
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Latest data as of June 9 showed that 896 classrooms sustained minor damage, 296 suffered major damage, and 199 classrooms were totally destroyed.
As part of its immediate interventions, Angara ordered an initial allocation of P235.1 million for the deployment of 130 fully equipped Learning Continuity Spaces (LCS) — with emergency power and Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity—across the affected regions.
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Furthermore, DepEd secured P258.98 million to guarantee the printing and rapid delivery of prepositioned learning packets to disrupted learner populations.
Angara also ordered the downloading of P7.7 million for clean-up and clearing operations across 267 affected schools, as well as P43.9 million to fund minor classroom repairs.
Following the validation of affected schools, DepEd shall utilize its stand-by P3-billion Quick Response Fund (QRF) to facilitate the structural reconstruction or replacement of damaged school buildings and facilities.
In terms of academic adjustments, the Department implemented Level 4-Hinto (Stop) in severe-risk areas and is preparing a transition to Level 3-Hinga (Check-in) utilizing unstructured learning materials, in accordance with its newly established Guidelines on Learning Continuity in Emergencies.
Furthermore, DepEd has deployed registered guidance counselors to provide critical Psychological First Aid (PFA) and mental health screenings to traumatized learners and staff.
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The Department emphasized that the safe return to face-to-face classes will strictly be determined on a school-by-school basis, and resumption will only be allowed once DepEd engineers, local coordinators, and structural experts officially inspect and clear the facilities.
Read the full article at Philippine Daily Inquirer →
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