More than 12,000 schools across Mindanao and parts of the Visayas were affected, and at least 559 schools suspended classes after a powerful magnitude 7.4earthquake struck offshore near Manay, Davao Oriental, on Friday morning, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported.
The DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said in its 12 noon situation report that 12,399 schools were exposed to the impact of the tremor, which prompted widespread safety inspections and class suspensions in Bukidnon (344 schools), Misamis Oriental (138), Camiguin (66), and Lanao del Norte (11).
Initial reports from Regions 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao Region), 12 (Soccsksargen), and 13 (Caraga) indicated that 9,923 learners and 490 teachers were affected, including five injured learners and one teacher. At least 201 classrooms sustained damage-173 with minor and 29 with major destruction-following the quake.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the magnitude 7.4 tectonic earthquake struck at 9:43 a.m., with the epicenter located 62 kilometers southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The quake was generated by the movement of a local fault in the region.
Phivolcs recorded Intensity 5 in areas such as Southern Leyte, Davao de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Cotabato, while Intensity 4 was felt in parts of Cebu, Bukidnon, and Surigao del Sur. The agency also issued a tsunami warning for coastal provinces, including Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Dinagat Islands. The tsunami warning was lifted before 2 p.m.
Local government units have activated disaster risk reduction teams to inspect public school structures and ensure the safety of students and personnel before resuming classes. The DRRMS said coordination is ongoing with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) for rapid assessment and response.
‘We are closely monitoring the situation and emphasizing the importance of earthquake preparedness,’ the DRRMS said, urging schools to remain alert for possible aftershocks and tsunami activity.
The strong tremor, one of the most powerful to hit the country this year, caused widespread alarm across Mindanao and Visayas, though no major fatalities have been reported as of press time.
It happened 10 days after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Bogo City in northern Cebu, causing widespread damage, and a day after a magnitude 4.9 quake hit La Union on October 9./coa