Overview: Stabilizing learning after a powerful quake
The Department of Education (DepEd) has intensified efforts to repair damaged schools and restore learning in areas hit by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao. On-site inspections led by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highlighted the urgency of rebuilding to minimize disruptions for students and teachers across the affected regions, with Davao Oriental bearing the heaviest impact among provinces.
Damage snapshot: How the quake affected classrooms
DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) reported that 1,140 schools across eight regions sustained infrastructure damage, impacting 7,575 classrooms. Of these, 1,297 classrooms were totally destroyed, 1,004 suffered major damage, and 5,274 sustained minor damage. Estimated repair and reconstruction costs are around P4 billion. The Davao Region (Region XI) recorded the most extensive destruction, with 764 damaged schools and over 5,350 classrooms totally damaged.
Coordination and rebuilding efforts
Angara emphasized close collaboration with key agencies to speed safety inspections and reconstruction. The Department is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for building safety checks, and with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to replenish the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to expedite repairs. He noted that if possible, new classrooms could be built to exceed pre-quake capacity—a forward-looking approach aligned with building back better principles.
Structural safety and rapid assessments
Since October 11, DepEd engineers and DPWH teams have been deployed to conduct structural integrity tests on schools following joint inspections ordered by Angara and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. These assessments help determine which facilities can be repaired quickly and which require more substantial reconstruction before students can safely return to classrooms.
Maintaining learning continuity amid disruption
To minimize disruptions, DepEd has activated alternative delivery modes, including modular distance learning and the Edukahon program. Temporary learning spaces and tent classrooms are being set up with support from local governments and partner agencies. The department is also prioritizing the replacement of damaged learning materials and ICT equipment, while extending psychosocial support to students and teachers coping with trauma.
Support for teachers and school personnel
DepEd has reported that the quake affected 14,925 teaching and non-teaching personnel and 168,945 learners, with injuries reported among 57 personnel and 187 students. In response, the department has activated financial assistance programs such as the P50,000 Provident Fund loan and GSIS emergency loan. Flexible work arrangements are being allowed in areas where buildings remain unsafe, ensuring that staff can continue supporting learning continuity without compromising safety.
What comes next: timelines and expectations
While the scope of damage is significant, DepEd remains committed to a phased recovery plan that prioritizes safety, rapid repairs, and sustainable learning environments. The ongoing engineering assessments, funded classroom expansions where feasible, and reinforced infrastructure will aim to restore full learning services across the affected regions as soon as possible. Community partnerships and local government coordination will be essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring that students return to safe, functional classrooms with access to the necessary instructional resources.
