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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Sarangani tremor spoils first day of classes

Sarangani tremor spoils first day of classes

Published Jun 8, 2026 04:55 pm
PUPILS at Vicente Hizon Sr. Elementary School in Davao City settle down following the earthquake Monday. (Keith Bacongco)
PUPILS at Vicente Hizon Sr. Elementary School in Davao City settle down following the earthquake Monday. (Keith Bacongco)
DAVAO CITY – A powerful earthquake spoiled the opening of classes in most parts of Mindanao on Monday, June 8.
The magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck while many schools were holding convocation programs.
Several videos from students and teachers circulated in social media showing that most of the schools were still holding convocation programs when the tremor struck.
At Vicente Hizon Elementary School in this city, a convocation program was about to end when the earthquake hit.
A school official told Manila Bulletin that it was fortunate that learners were still outside of the classrooms when the earthquake struck.
At 7:44 a.m., the city government of Davao suspended classes on all levels and work in all local and national government offices.
The Department of Education suspended classes in Mindanao due to the earthquake and ongoing aftershocks.
“Employees are encouraged to work from home, subject to the approval and guidance of their respective heads. Personnel are reminded not to occupy buildings or office premises until the structural integrity of the facilities has been properly assessed and declared safe by the appropriate authorities,” DepEd-Region12 said in an advisory.
DepEd Region-12 covers the province of Sarangani where most of the damage and casualties were reported.
DepEd Region-12 is also collectively known as Socsksargen region (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City).
The agency has requested engineers and disaster offices to inspect and assess the structural integrity of all school buildings and office facilities before classes resume.
Initial reports said that several school buildings in Davao region and Socsksargen were damaged due to the earthquake.
The Matanao National High School in Matanao, Davao del Sur said that the school building that collapsed in the earthquake is already an abandoned structure after it was damaged in the series of earthquakes in 2019.
“During the incident, one abandoned building within the school premises collapsed. This structure had been severely affected by the strong earthquakes in 2019 and had since been declared unsafe for occupancy. The area had been placed under restriction and fenced off, and the building had already been identified for demolition,” the MNHS said in a statement.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. with an epicenter 32 kilometers south of the coast of Maasim town in Sarangani province with a depth of 10 kilometers.

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