Over 3.2M students affected by magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake

More than 3.2 million students were affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit offshore Sarangani on Monday morning, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Based on its initial reports, the DepEd said over 3.2 million students and 128,000 teachers and personnel were affected in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

Meanwhile, approximately 6,224 schools across five regions were also affected by the earthquake and aftershocks.

The Education Department has activated its emergency response mechanisms and is conducting rapid assessments and structural safety inspections of school facilities in affected areas.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara assured parents, teachers, and students that aid would be promptly provided to the affected schools.

Minor repairs up to P50,000 can be charged to the schools’ maintenance and other operating expenses, while major repairs and rehabilitation are covered through DepEd’s separate funding and emergency resources.

Angara also ordered schools to review and strengthen the implementation of earthquake preparedness measures, including evacuation procedures and regular earthquake drills.

“We understand the concern of our parents, teachers, and learners. Kapag ligtas na ang lahat, saka natin ipagpapatuloy ang pag-aaral. Kaligtasan muna ang una (When everyone is safe, we can continue with education. Safety first),” he said.

Angara earlier said schools must be ready to respond to any eventualities brought by calamities.

He added that DepEd deployed engineers in the affected regions to inspect school facilities affected by the earthquake, as he closely monitors the development in affected areas.

The DepEd has so far logged 26 million enrollees for School Year 2026-2027 and is expecting more students to enroll once classes open on June 8.

The agency is expecting approximately 26.4 million enrollees for School Year 2026-2027, which is about the same as last year's figure.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, a tsunami warning was raised after the earthquake.

PHIVOLCS said the earthquake was recorded at magnitude 7 with a depth of 10 kilometers, but it was upgraded to 7.8 with a depth of 33 kilometers.

At least eight people are reported dead due to the earthquake, according to the Office of Civil Defense. — RSJ, GMA News