Laguna suspends face-to-face classes amid earthquake concerns

The provincial government of Laguna has announced the suspension of face-to-face classes in all public and private schools from October 14 to 31, 2025, as a precaution against potential seismic activity along the West Valley Fault.

During this period, students will shift to alternative learning modes, including online and modular classes.

Governor Sol Aragones, in a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday, explained that the decision followed careful analysis of data and consultations with disaster management teams.

"Kinausap din po natin ang ating disaster team para alamin ang mga nakalatag na paghahanda, ano pa ang puwede nating gawin para matiyak na magiging ligtas ang ating mga kababayan, hindi lamang ang ating mga estudyante kundi ang ating mga kababayan dito sa Laguna at maging sa buong bansa," Aragones said.

(We also spoke with our disaster team to review existing preparations and determine what more we can do to ensure the safety of our residents, not just our students but all our people here in Laguna and across the country.)

"Pero kinausap din po natin (sila upang) aralin kung ano ang mga may fault line o dadaanan nitong fault line dito sa lalawigan ng Laguna," she said.

(We also talked to them to find out which areas are on or near fault lines in Laguna.)

Aragones emphasized that student safety is the top priority.

"Ang lilipas na mga araw na walang klase o walang online classes ay puwede po nating habulin 'yan. Pero ang buhay ng tao isa lang, hindi na puwedeng maibalik pa. May panganib na nakaamba at ito rin ang kinumpirma at sinang-ayunan ng iba't ibang departamento o institusyon dito sa atin na kinausap natin kanina itong task force," she added.

(The days of no classes or no online classes can be made up later. But man has only one life, and it cannot be brought back. This is why we made the decision after consulting, because this is what I feel—not just my feeling, but I also saw in the data that we need to act. There is a looming risk, and this was confirmed and agreed upon by various departments and institutions we consulted today, including the task force.)

During the suspension, students will follow alternative learning arrangements, including online and modular classes, coordinated with their teachers.

"Sa halip ay magkakaroon po tayo ng alternative delivery mode kasama po dito ang online class at modular class po natin," Aragones said.

(Instead, we will have an alternative delivery mode, which includes online and modular classes.)

Authorities are urging families to use the suspension period to strengthen earthquake preparedness at home. School buildings have also been assessed, and disaster management teams are coordinating with the provincial government to ensure safety.

"Even if nothing happens, this is an opportunity to remain ready. Safety comes first, especially for our students," Aragones added.

Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the series of strong earthquakes in different parts of the county do not trigger the West Valley Fault to move.

“Hindi po kasi magkakalayo sila,” PHIVOLCS chief Dr. Teresito Bacolcol told Unang Hirit in an interview.

(No, they will not because they are far apart.)

The West Valley Fault (WVF) runs through Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna.

Dubbed as “The Big One,” a 7.2 magnitude earthquake or stronger in Metro Manila may lead to 33,500 fatalities and 113,600 injured, based on the 2004 study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and concerned Philippine agencies.

The strongest earthquakes in the recent seismic events in the country were the following:

• Bogo City, Cebu - magnitude 6.9 on September 30
• Manay, Davao Oriental - magnitude 7.4 and magnitude 6.8 on October 10 (doublet)
• Cagwait, Surigao del Sur - magnitude 6.0 on October 11

Fatalities in the Cebu earthquake has reached 75, while in Davao Oriental earthquake, eight. —KG, GMA Integrated News