The local government of Matanao, Davao del Sur has requested funding from the provincial government for the demolition of the abandoned school building at Matanao National High School, which collapsed during a powerful earthquake on Monday, June 8, 2026.

The Commission on Audit (COA) earlier approved the demolition of the building, which sustained damage from successive earthquakes in 2019.

According to Matanao Mayor Irick Agbon, the demolition did not push through due to a lack of budget from the Department of Education (DepEd), leaving the structure standing until it finally gave way during the recent tremor.

“Gipa-abandon na nato kay nakita na nato nga dunay tulo ka columns ata, ang iyahang integridad ba. Gi question na gyud sa atong mga engineers,” Agbon said.

“Two years ago meron ng approval ang COA na pwede na siyang gubaon. Mao lagi tungod sa kadako sa dapat nga gastuhon, walay kwarta ang DEPED para idemolish ang ilahang building. So they need the help of the LGU,” he added.

The demolition is estimated to cost P1.7 million.

Agbon already asked the provincial government for assistance.

“Akong tan-aw sa previous nako nga estimate man gud gikinahanglan og 1.7 million para sa pagdemolish. So, gastuhan nalang gyud siguro with the help of the Provincial Government,” Agbon said.

The school administration is set to send a letter to the Matanao local government unit, which will then forward it to the provincial government to request funding from the Quick Response Fund (QRF) under the Special Education Fund.

DepEd is set to construct a new school building once the demolition of the abandoned building is completed.

Meanwhile, the assessment of other school buildings is still ongoing to determine where classes for students will be held.

As a result, classes remain suspended in the said school, along with other schools in the town.

The mayor is still awaiting clearance from the Municipal Engineering Office regarding the structural integrity of all school buildings in the town before lifting the suspension order and issuing a new executive order on the resumption of classes.

All tourism activities such as trekking, caving, and waterfall visits in Matanao also remain suspended.