Face-to-face classes at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Barangay Mintal Proper, Davao City are suspended on Friday, May 17, 2024, after a fire hit the school on Thursday, May 16.

Based on a memorandum order, only teaching and non-teaching personnel are allowed on campus. Students are not allowed to enter the school premises, for now. 

Five facilities were gutted by fire, including the dormitory and a guest room. Nearly 30 lumad students were displaced and are taking shelter temporarily at the school’s Annex Building.

The school has provided them with food while assessing their other needs.

Mintal Fire Station Investigator, Senior Fire Officer Manuel Ronquillo, said the fire may have started at the Audio-Visual Room (AVR) of the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous People’s Education.

Fortunately, classrooms are far from the fire site and most of the students no longer have classes as they are preparing for their final examination next week.

(Report from King Pandia, GMA Super Radyo Davao)