H2: DepEd ramps up school repairs to ensure learning continuity after Mindanao quake
The Department of Education (DepEd) is intensifying efforts to repair damaged schools and restore learning in areas affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao, underscoring the agency’s commitment to safe classrooms and uninterrupted education.
H3: On-the-ground leadership and assessment
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, together with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., visited Davao Oriental to lead on-site inspections of damaged schools. The visits highlight the government’s focus on safeguarding learning environments while speeding up reconstruction. Initial data from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) show a wide impact across eight regions, with a total of 1,140 schools reporting infrastructure damage and 7,575 affected classrooms. Among the affected facilities, 1,297 classrooms were totally destroyed, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage. Total repair and reconstruction costs are estimated at about PHP 4 billion.
H3: Regional toll and the scale of damage
The Davao Region (Region XI) incurred the most extensive destruction, reporting 764 damaged schools and more than 5,350 classrooms that were completely destroyed. These numbers reflect the scale of the challenge facing educators, learners, and communities as they rebuild school facilities and maintain access to education amid recovery efforts.
H3: Coordinated rebuilding efforts with DPWH and DBM
Angara announced that DepEd is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for safety inspections and structural integrity tests, a move designed to ensure that rebuilt or repaired schools meet higher safety standards. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is engaged to replenish the Quick Response Fund (QRF), a critical step to expedite repair and reconstruction.
“We will work with Secretary Vince on the Quick Response Fund (QRF) and also on the new classrooms. If we can construct something bigger than what was damaged, it will also be anticipatory—like building back better,” Angara said, articulating a strategy that blends immediate relief with future resilience.
H3: Engineering surveys and rapid assessments
DepEd engineers and DPWH teams have been deployed since October 11 to conduct structural integrity tests across affected schools, following on-site inspections ordered by Angara and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. These inspections are essential for identifying classrooms that can resume use quickly and for planning safer rebuilds that reduce risk from future disasters.
H2: Ensuring learning continuity amid disruption
H3: Alternative delivery modes and temporary spaces
To minimize interruptions to learning, DepEd has activated alternative delivery modes, including modular distance learning and Edukahon, while temporary learning spaces and tent classrooms are established with support from local governments and partner agencies. The aim is to ensure that students maintain access to education even as permanent repairs proceed.
H3: Replacing damaged materials and supporting teachers
The department is coordinating the replacement of damaged learning materials and ICT equipment and providing psychosocial support to students and teachers coping with the trauma of the disaster. This holistic approach addresses not only physical infrastructure but the well-being and readiness of learners and educators.
H3: Aid for teachers and school personnel
DepEd reported that 14,925 teaching and non-teaching personnel and 168,945 learners were affected by the quake, with 57 personnel and 187 students sustaining injuries. In response, the department activated financial assistance programs, including the PHP 50,000 Provident Fund loan and GSIS emergency loans, and has allowed flexible work arrangements in areas where school buildings remain unsafe. These measures help maintain morale and continuity while communities rebuild.
H2: Looking ahead
As repair and reconstruction accelerate, the education sector remains focused on safe classrooms, robust learning continuity plans, and resilient school design. The collective effort — from quick funding and meticulous safety checks to flexible learning options and psychosocial support — aims to help students, teachers, and communities recover with confidence and continue the essential work of education in Mindanao.
