ARAGONES
SANTA CRUZ, Laguna -- Gov. Sol Aragones announced on Monday, Oct. 13, the suspension of all face-to-face classes in the province from Tuesday, Oct. 14, to Oct. 31 due to increasing number of earthquakes.
All schools in the province will shift to alternative modes of learning as the provincial government conducts assessments on the structural integrity of schools and other public facilities, Aragones said in a Facebook post following a recommendation from Task Force Lindol composed of provincial officials from the disaster management, education, and health sectors.
The governor emphasized that the provincial government is preparing for a potential "worst-case scenario" and stressed the importance of ensuring the readiness of public structures to safeguard students and the general public.
Government agencies are expected to conduct thorough inspections of schools and other facilities in government establishments to identify possible hazards that earthquakes may pose to public safety.
The provincial government will also identify possible evacuation sites that could accommodate displaced residents in the event of a major earthquake.
Dr. Editha Atendido, Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Division of Laguna, assured that teachers are prepared for the shift to alternative learning delivery.
She said learning modules will be distributed to students and called on parents to guide their children while studying at home.
Aragones acknowledged that the suspension of face-to-face classes may pose inconvenience for some, but maintained that the safety and lives of residents remain her top priority.
The Office of Civil Defense-Calabarzon had earlier urged local government units to review and strengthen their emergency contingency plans, conduct regular earthquake drills, and ensure seamless coordination with emergency response teams to guarantee timely disaster response.