Marcos inspects Sarangani school to assess quake damage
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected the earthquake-damaged Malapatan National High School in Sarangani on Monday to assess recovery efforts following the magnitude 7.8 tremor that struck Mindanao on June 8. The inspection, coordinated by the Department of Education (DepEd), focused on structural repairs and securing housing and financial assistance for displaced teachers.
Status of Schools and Infrastructure
The earthquake has left 3,500 schools under active class suspension, primarily within the Davao Region and Soccsksargen, according to data from the DepEd. While 5,590 schools nationwide have successfully resumed classes, seven facilities—including those in Glan, Maitum, and Malapatan—are currently repurposed as evacuation centers.
Malapatan National High School sustained significant damage, with 22 classrooms reported as totally destroyed. The site serves 2,408 students and 129 personnel. Beyond the school, government officials have conducted inspections of the Sarangani Provincial Hospital, the Sapo Masla Bridge, and local evacuation centers to evaluate the broader regional impact.
Did You Know? The Malapatan National High School, which is currently undergoing government-led structural assessments, supports a total population of 2,537 students and staff members.
Recovery Strategies and Teacher Support
Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed that the administration is prioritizing inter-agency coordination to expedite classroom reconstruction. The government plans to compile a comprehensive list of teachers affected by the disaster to facilitate aid from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the dual focus on physical infrastructure and personnel welfare suggests a strategy aimed at long-term community stability. By integrating housing support for teachers with classroom repair, the administration is likely attempting to prevent the loss of experienced educators, which is a common secondary crisis following large-scale seismic events.
What Happens Next
Following the inter-agency situation briefing at the General Santos City Oval Plaza, the government is expected to move toward full-scale reconstruction. Future recovery efforts may include the phased reopening of the 3,500 currently suspended schools as safety inspections conclude. The pace of this return to normalcy will likely depend on the speed of the inter-agency coordination efforts and the availability of funds allocated for disaster recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are still suspended?
According to the Department of Education, 3,500 schools remain under active class suspension, mainly in the Davao Region and Soccsksargen.
What assistance is available for teachers?
The government is compiling a list of affected teachers to provide them with housing and financial assistance through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
How many classrooms were destroyed at Malapatan National High School?
The school reported 22 totally damaged classrooms requiring urgent intervention.
How do you believe local communities can best support the ongoing recovery of schools in the affected regions?