AN empty street in front of an elementary school in downtown Davao City. (Keith Bacongco)
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Education-Davao City announced Tuesday night, Oct. 14, that it is implementing modular, asynchronous, or blended learning starting Oct. 15 until further notice due to persistent aftershocks from the doublet earthquake on Oct. 10.
DepEd-Davao City extended the suspension of classes as the face-to-face classes resumed on Oct. 14.
However, classes were interrupted anew as the Davao region was rocked by a series of aftershocks within an hour.
“Teaching personnel are not required to report onsite, while non-teaching personnel shall continue to report to ensure the continuity of essential school operations,” DepEd-Davao City said in an advisory on its Facebook page at 7:31 p.m. Tuesday.
It also directed teachers to monitor the conduct of blended learning, ensure the continuity of learning activities, and provide necessary learner support.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a magnitude-5.6 tremor jolted the region at 10 a.m. Tuesday, followed by magnitude-4.7 earthquake, magnitude-4.9 at 10:39 a.m., and magnitude-4.1 at 10:51 a.m.
These series of aftershocks, with an epicenter off the coast of Manay in Davao Oriental province, were widely felt in most parts of the Davao region.
Since then, aftershocks persisted, with magnitudes ranging from 1.7 to 4.9 until 12 midnight Oct. 15. At 3:26 a.m. Wednesday, Phivolcs logged a magnitude-five tremor.
Like DepEd-Davao City, the neighboring Panabo City in Davao del Norte extended suspension of classes on all levels due to aftershocks.
“The city government and partner national agencies are continuously monitoring the situation following the earthquake. This decision to extend the suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all students and staff, as authorized under Executive Order No. 71, Series of 2025,” the advisory issued by the Panabo City Information Office at 9:15 p.m. Tuesday said.
Key government agencies are conducting inspections in school buildings and other structures to ensure the safety of learners in the region.