On November 17, a powerful magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Mindanao, resulting in significant damage to 18 schools in Sarangani province. The earthquake, which caused both minor and major damages to educational facilities, occurred on a Friday afternoon when no students were present, as they had been sent home early for a teachers’ capacity building activity.
Dr. Donna Panes from the Department of Education reported ongoing assessments to determine the full extent of the damage, with some schools in Glan and Malapatan sustaining major damages. The community is now grappling with the aftermath of this natural disaster, as authorities work to assess and address the impacts on the educational infrastructure.
Image Credit
- Collapsed function hall of Glan Padidu Central Elementary School (Photo courtesy of Genevieve Rama/DepEd Sarangani)