Overview: A Heavy Lifting for Education in Mindanao
In the wake of a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, the Department of Education (DepEd) has escalated its efforts to repair damaged schools and ensure learning continuity for affected students. On-site inspections led by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Davao Oriental underscore the government’s commitment to rebuilding classrooms and restoring normalcy for learners who faced disruption to their studies.
Scale of Damage and Immediate Priorities
DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) reports that 1,140 schools across eight regions sustained infrastructure damage, impacting 7,575 classrooms. Of these, 1,297 classrooms were completely destroyed, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage. The total estimated cost for repair and reconstruction stands at about PHP 4 billion. The Davao Region (Region XI) was hardest hit, with 764 damaged schools and more than 5,350 classrooms reported as totally damaged.
Repair and Rebuilding: A Coordinated Effort
DepEd is coordinating closely with key government agencies to speed rebuilding and ensure school safety. The department is working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct safety inspections and structural assessments, and with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to replenish the Quick Response Fund (QRF). The aim is not just to restore pre-disaster conditions but to build back better—considering larger, more resilient classrooms where feasible.
“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 noted, blending English and Filipino to convey urgency and foresight.
Since October 11, DepEd engineers and DPWH teams have been deployed to conduct structural integrity tests on schools, building on initial joint inspections ordered by Angara and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. This proactive testing is designed to identify which facilities can reopen quickly and which need more extensive repairs or temporary relocation provisions.
Maintaining Learning: Continuity Amid Disruption
Prior to and during reconstruction, DepEd has activated multiple alternatives to deliver education without interruption. These include modular distance learning options and the Edukahon program, alongside temporary learning spaces and tent classrooms established with local government support and assistance from partner agencies. The department is also prioritizing the replacement of damaged learning materials and ICT equipment, recognizing that access to digital and printed resources is essential for sustaining academic progress during recovery.
Support for Students and Teachers
The earthquake affected 14,925 teaching and non-teaching personnel and 168,945 learners. Injuries were reported among 57 personnel and 187 students. In response, DepEd has activated financial assistance programs, including a PHP 50,000 Provident Fund loan and access to GSIS emergency loans. Flexible work arrangements are allowed in areas where school buildings are deemed unsafe, ensuring that educators can continue to teach while safety concerns are managed.
What’s Next: Timelines and Expectations
While repair timelines vary by site, the integrated approach—structural safety checks, rapid funding, temporary learning arrangements, and ongoing psychosocial support—aims to minimize learning gaps. School community leaders, parents, and local governments are expected to remain engaged as temporary facilities transition to permanent classrooms and safer campuses. The priority remains clear: keep students learning, support teachers, and safeguard the well-being of communities recovering from natural disaster.
Conclusion: A Resilient Path Forward for Mindanao
DepEd’s intensified repair drive and emphasis on learning continuity demonstrate a proactive stance toward disaster resilience. By coordinating with DPWH and DBM, deploying engineers for safety checks, and offering robust learning alternatives, the government seeks to protect education as a fundamental pillar of recovery in quake-affected Mindanao.
