34 classrooms totally damaged after magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu — DepEd
The Department of Education (DepEd) said 34 classrooms were totally damaged after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu, with over 16,000 schools across Regions VI to VIII affected. (Manila Bulletin / file)
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, Oct. 1, said that more than 30 classrooms were totally damaged after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck near Bogo City, Cebu --- leaving schools across several regions reeling from the impact.
DepEd said initial reports indicated classroom damages in multiple areas following the strong tremor that jolted Cebu on September 30.
Based on DepEd's latest data, 197 classrooms sustained minor damage, 26 classrooms suffered major damage, and 34 classrooms were totally damaged. Six (6) Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities were also affected.
The quake was felt across Regions VI, VII, and VIII, potentially affecting more than 16,000 schools in 73 school divisions, DepEd said.
Citing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), DepEd noted that the earthquake’s epicenter was located 21 kilometers north, 73° east of Bogo City, at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers.
Initial impact on learners and personnel
The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), through its Incident Monitoring and Reporting System (IMRS), has so far logged 54 initial reports, covering 2,220 learners and 97 teaching and non-teaching personnel.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries among learners have been reported as of this time.
Reported damages to schools
Preliminary data from DepEd, released by Chief Media Relations Officer Dennis E. Legaspi, showed that at least 11 Schools Division Offices (SDOs) reported damage to classrooms and facilities, pending engineering validation.
(Courtesy of DepEd)
These include Canlaon City, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Iloilo, Bohol, Carcar City, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City, Toledo City, and Bogo City.
Ongoing monitoring and response
DepEd emphasized that these reports remain subject to engineering validation as field assessments continue.
The department said it is closely coordinating with local government units and disaster response offices to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school infrastructure.
It also urged school heads and division offices in affected areas to submit updated situation reports to facilitate immediate response and resource mobilization.
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