DepEd-Gensan appeals for help in rebuilding quake-hit schools
DAVAO CITY – The Department of Education in General Santos City (DepEd-Gensan) is appealing for help in rebuilding schools damaged in the June 8 earthquake.
In a statement, DepEd-Gensan urged people to donate construction materials as they begin the process of recovery and rehabilitation.
It added that the schools’ most urgent needs are galvanized iron (GI) corrugated sheets (G24), 5mm plywood sheets, cements, deformed bars (#10 and #12), and hollow blocks.
These materials will help restore damaged structures and ensure that learners can return to safe and conducive learning environments as soon as possible.
“As we begin the process of recovery and rehabilitation, we humbly call on all Filipinos and Filipinos at heart who may wish to extend their help and become partners in rebuilding our schools,” DepEd-GenSan said.
“Yesterday's powerful earthquake left many of our communities shaken. While we remain grateful for everyone's safety, several schools across our division sustained damage to classrooms and school facilities that serve as second homes to our learners,” it added.
An initial report from the Department of Education Region-12 showed that the tremor affected 1,332 schools as of 12 a.m. June 9.
Region-12 is collectively known as Soccsksargen region (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City).
The report also said that 793 classrooms from 125 elementary and high schools sustained major and minor damages. Sarangani had 114, followed by General Santos City with 106; 39 in Sultan Kudarat; 10 in South Cotabato; three in Cotabato, and two in Koronadal City.
DepEd-Sarangani Division chief Ruth Estacio lamented that learners and teachers are still recovering from the trauma of the magnitude-6.7 earthquake that rocked the province in 2023.
And yet another powerful earthquake struck the province, Estacio said. She said that some classrooms in the province that are still being repaired due to the earthquake in 2023.
DepEd-Sarangani Division said most of the damaged schools are in Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, and Malungon.
DepEd-GenSan urged people to visit the School Needs Data System (SNDS) at sdogensan.mysnds.com to learn more about the needs of the schools and discover other opportunities to support educational recovery efforts.