CEBU CITY –The magnitude-6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on Sept. 30 caused massive devastation in the agriculture and education sectors in the province.

Dr. Salustiano Jimenez, director of the Department of Education-Central Visayas (DepEd-7), said damage to schools has reached close to P4 billion, with around 200 schools across northern Cebu sustaining varying degrees of damage.

Initial assessment showed that 500 classrooms were totally destroyed, more than 700 sustained major structural damage, and around 2,000 had minor damage.

In a news forum on Tuesday, Oct. 14, Salustiano said several division offices in northern Cebu were , affected.

Salustiano said one teacher died and 12 students were killed during the earthquake. Eight of the students who perished were from Bogo City, the epicenter of the quake.

The quake claimed at least 75 lives, 33 coming from Bogo.

Salustiano said financial assistance from the DepEd-7 and personal contributions have been extended to the families of the victims.

With several schools damaged, the agency will implement Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) through self-learning modules distributed to students in affected areas.

The DepEd-7 chief said that learners will not be required to complete all modules to protect them from stress and trauma.

Teachers have been instructed to focus on light reading and activities to maintain engagement.

The agency is establishing Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), which costs around P1.5 million to build, in the hardest-hit areas to ensure classes continue while schools undergo repairs.

Before the resumption of classes, psychological first aid and debriefing sessions were also conducted for teachers while a two-month moratorium on loan repayments have been imposed.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that the province’s agriculture sector, particularly aquaculture, sustained around P9.3 million damage and losses, affecting the livelihood of hundreds of residents.

The quake affected aquaculture and capture fisheries, damaging fish cages, pens, boats, and post-harvest facilities that support local food production and trade.

In aquaculture, losses reached P2.24 million.

Bogo had two damaged fish cages valued at P700,000, while Bantayan, Madridejos, and San Remigio reported a combined P1.54 million in damage to fish pens and ponds.

In capture fisheries, the quake destroyed 46 fish aggregating devices in Catmon and Borbon, resulting in P885,000 in losses.

The OPA reported P6 million in total damage to the Cebu Fish Landing Centers in Tabogon and San Remigio while a corn post-harvest facility in Caputatan Sur, Medellin was also damaged.