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Ever had one of those weeks when everything seems to happen at once? That’s what students and parents in the Philippines are facing right now. With recent earthquakes shaking Cebu, Davao, and Surigao —on top of flu season hitting hard—the Department of Education (DepEd) may suspend classes October 13–17 to give students a much-needed health break. Let’s unpack what this means and why it matters. Why DepEd May Suspend Classes October 13–17 When natural disasters and health concerns overlap, schools often become the first to adjust. DepEd is considering a temporary suspension of classes to ensure both safety and wellness. Here’s why: Davao Oriental : On October 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Manay, followed hours later by a 6.8 aftershock . The tremors triggered tsunami warnings and caused building damage across Mindanao. Cebu : Just days earlier, Cebu was rattled by tremors linked to the Mindanao quakes. The Sept. 30 magnitude 6.9 quake in northern Cebu left do...

When a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Bogo City, Cebu, it shook more than just the ground — it reminded everyone how vital disaster preparedness is, especially in schools. In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) is stepping up its efforts to strengthen education resilience across the Philippines. This move isn’t just about rebuilding — it’s about ensuring learning never stops, even in times of crisis. Strengthening Schools for a Safer Tomorrow After the recent earthquake, DepEd has rolled out a series of programs designed to make schools safer, smarter, and more disaster-ready. These include new planning tools, improved facilities, and training programs for educators. One of the biggest steps forward is PlanSmart for Safe Schools , a web-based contingency planning app developed with the help of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST–Phivolcs) and the World Bank. This platform gathers real-time hazard and risk data f...

Imagine waking up to the ground shaking beneath you—and then realizing your school might not reopen for weeks. That’s the reality for thousands of students in Cebu after a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked the region. The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that the class resumption in Cebu could take up to a month. The Earthquake That Shook the School System On October 3, 2025, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Central Visayas, with Bogo City bearing the brunt of the damage. While the tremors lasted only seconds, their impact on infrastructure—especially schools—was devastating. Bogo City alone reported 38 schools with significant damage. Regions 5, 6, and 7 collectively recorded over 5,587 classrooms with major structural issues. Aftershocks have made it difficult for engineers to assess the full extent of the destruction. DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma emphasized that the timeline for reopening schools hinges on the speed of reconstruction. “The e...