Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
DepEd: 1,187 classrooms destroyed, over 19,000 learners displaced by Cebu quake
Philippines
National
DepEd: 1,187 classrooms destroyed, over 19,000 learners displaced by Cebu quake
DepEd: 1,187 classrooms destroyed, over 19,000 learners displaced by Cebu quake
Published Oct 2, 2025 04:19 pm
DepEd reported that 1,187 classrooms in Cebu were totally destroyed by the 6.9-magnitude quake, displacing over 19,000 learners and prompting the immediate rollout of emergency modular learning. (DepEd / Manila Bulletin / file)
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, October 2, confirmed that 1,187 classrooms were totally destroyed by the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu earlier this week, leaving thousands of students and teachers without safe learning spaces.
As of 11 p.m. on October 1, DepEd data showed that 5,587 classrooms sustained minor damage, 803 sustained major damage, and 1,187 were rendered totally unusable, affecting more than 19,000 learners and 950 teaching and non-teaching personnel across the province.
Visit to quake-hit schools
President Marcos and DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara personally visited Bogo City, one of the hardest-hit areas, to lead a situation briefing and inspect the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy, where at least three buildings were declared unsafe for occupancy.
DepEd said a vetted list of damaged schools will undergo joint validation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to determine reconstruction costs. Once confirmed, funds will be downloaded immediately for repair and rebuilding.
Emergency learning continuity measures
Angara stressed that education must continue despite the destruction of hundreds of classrooms.
To minimize disruptions, DepEd is rolling out modular learning, establishing Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), and distributing nearly 90 “EduKahon” teaching and learning recovery kits in quake-hit Cebu schools.
“Sa gitna ng trahedya, kailangan mas maagap tayong tumulong para hindi maputol ang pag-aaral ng ating mga mag-aaral (In the midst of tragedy, we must act swiftly to ensure that our students’ education is not disrupted),” Angara said.
“Habang inaayos ang mga paaralan, agad tayong maghahatid ng alternatibong paraan upang may gabay, pag-asa, at direksyon silang mahahawakan (While schools are being repaired, we will immediately provide alternative means so they have guidance, hope, and direction),” he added.
DepEd estimates that learners in the hardest-hit areas could lose around one month of classes if interventions are not implemented quickly. TLS will prioritize early grade learners so they can resume limited face-to-face classes sooner.
Teachers, staff to get support
DepEd also announced that personnel in quake-hit schools located in areas under a state of calamity may avail of Special Emergency Leave under Civil Service Commission (CSC) guidelines.
Other regions nationwide are mobilizing financial and material support for affected teachers and learners.
“Bayanihan ang susi. Dapat mabilis ang aksyon ng lahat para mas mabilis ding makabalik ang ating mga guro at mag-aaral sa normal na klase (Bayanihan is key. Everyone must act swiftly so our teachers and students can return to normal classes sooner),” Angara said.
The government said it will continue monitoring the situation to ensure the immediate reconstruction of the 1,187 totally damaged classrooms and provide sustainable education support for Cebu learners.