Marcos, Angara vow to ‘build back better’ schools, learning continuity after Mindanao quake

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday vowed to “build back better” for thousands of students and teachers affected by the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao, with the Department of Education (DepEd) accelerating school repairs and deploying temporary learning spaces to keep education going amid devastation.

“Lagi kong sinasabi hindi ito pangminsanan lamang. Hindi kami aalis dito, lahat ng [ahensya], hanggat lahat ng citizens na natamaaan ay [hindi pa] nakabalik sa more or less normal na buhay. We have to do this together with the local government,” Marcos said in a situation briefing in Tarragona, Davao Oriental.

(I always say that this is not a one-time effort. We won’t leave until all affected citizens have returned to a more or less normal life. We have to do this together with the local government.)

The President led national officials in inspecting the hardest-hit areas on Monday, including Manay National High School, where classrooms and laboratories suffered heavy damage. The school alone faces an estimated P73.3 million worth of repairs and replacements.

The DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) reported that as of October 13, 12 a.m., a total of 1,140 schools across eight regions were damaged, affecting 7,575 classrooms. Of these, 1,297 were totally destroyed, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 had minor damage, with total reconstruction costs estimated at P4 billion.

The Davao Region (Region XI) was the most severely affected, with 764 damaged schools and over 5,350 totally damaged classrooms.

Angara said the DepEd is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to assess the structural integrity of school buildings and with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the possible replenishment of the Quick Response Fund (QRF).

“We will work with Sec. Vince [Dizon] sa QRF and also sa new classrooms. If we can build na mas malaking icoconstruct kaysa dun sa nasira, para anticipatory na rin, parang build back better,” he said.

(We will work with Secretary Vince on the QRF and the new classrooms. If we can construct bigger ones than those that were damaged, we can anticipate future needs—essentially, build back better.)

Beyond physical rebuilding, Angara emphasized that their priority is to keep learning continuous for affected learners. The agency has activated alternative learning modes, including modular distance learning and the Edukahon recovery kit.

It is also coordinating with local government units and partner agencies in deploying temporary learning spaces and tent classrooms.

DepEd is also replacing damaged learning materials and ICT equipment, while providing psychosocial support for affected teachers and students to help them cope with trauma and disruptions.

According to DepEd, the Davao Oriental earthquake affected 14,925 teaching and non-teaching personnel, with 57 injuries reported, and 168,945 learners, including 187 injured students.

To assist DepEd personnel, the government agency has activated financial aid programs, including the P150,000 Provident Fund loan, the GSIS emergency loan, and flexible work arrangements until all school facilities are declared safe.

The DepEd confirmed that structural engineers from the DPWH Central Office have been on-site since October 11 to conduct integrity tests on school buildings under instructions from Angara and Dizon.

President Marcos lauded the rapid coordination among agencies, saying the government’s response is not limited to relief but focused on long-term resilience.

“We have to do this together,” he said. “Recovery is not just about rebuilding classrooms—it’s about restoring normal life for our students, teachers, and communities.” — JMA, GMA Integrated News