AROUND 200 public schools in Cebu Province suffered varying degrees of damage from the September 30, 2025, magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City and nearby areas, with the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd 7) estimating losses at nearly P4 billion as of Monday, October 13.
DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez said Tuesday, October 14, during a news forum that field assessments remain ongoing, but initial reports show about 500 classrooms were destroyed, 700 sustained major damage and over 2,000 had minor damage following the tremor.
Jimenez said the extent of the damage was more devastating than that caused by typhoon Odette (Rai) on December 16, 2021, due to the sheer scale of destruction in a concentrated area.
The estimated damage cost might increase with aftershocks that could worsen already damaged DepEd facilities, he added.
Ensuring learning continuity
Jimenez assured that learning will continue despite the crisis through alternative delivery modes such as self-learning modules distributed to affected schools.
"Learning must continue even with a crisis," he said.
The modules aim to sustain engagement among students while easing the emotional and logistical burdens caused by the disaster.
Students are not required to complete all modules during this period, Jimenez said, to protect them from stress and trauma.
Teachers have been instructed to encourage reading and light learning activities "just to remind them that learning continues."
The 2025-2026 school year, the first under DepEd's transition back to the old June-to-March calendar, may face schedule adjustments due to lost school days.
DepEd 7 is studying the use of buffer days — extra school days built into the academic calendar as a cushion for unforeseen disruptions —and the extension of class hours to recover lost time and comply with the 180 non-negotiable school days required by law.
Supporting affected personnel
To support affected teaching personnel, DepEd has conducted psychological first aid and debriefing sessions before any return to classes.
Students will follow next before any classroom-related materials are taken up.
The DepEd Central Office and the regional office will distribute relief goods next week to teachers who lost homes or belongings.
Jimenez said DepEd has imposed a two-month moratorium on loan repayments under its provident fund for personnel in affected areas. Teachers whose houses were damaged may also apply for new assistance loans.
"We are also not being strict with daily time records for teachers in affected LGUs," Jimenez said.
Reconstruction plans
While most schools were not used as indoor evacuation centers for safety reasons, open grounds served as temporary shelters for displaced families, Jimenez said.
DepEd 7 has begun preparing school management and rehabilitation plans in coordination with Local School Boards and local governments using their Special Education Fund to finance urgent repairs.
For destroyed schools, reconstruction will be handled in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways through the quick response fund, following debris-clearing operations.
The construction of temporary learning spaces will follow for destroyed schools. The temporary learning spaces will be more durable and conducive for learners and may take at least 30 days to complete.
The agency has allocated P1.5 million for each temporary learning space for every destroyed classroom.
Jimenez said Central Visayas will be the first region to construct the improved and more durable temporary learning spaces compared to the previous allocation of only P180,000.
DepEd 7, he said, is also proposing that school-building funds under DPWH be transferred to DepEd and local government units to expedite construction since DepEd lacks engineering personnel while local governments have existing technical units.
Jimenez said construction of school buildings under DPWH usually takes time, but with LGU support, civil works could be fast-tracked.
New school buildings will adopt earthquake-resilient designs modeled after Japanese standards, capable of withstanding magnitude 8.0 earthquakes and incorporating elevated classroom structures for added safety.
Funding for the construction of destroyed schools will be proposed under the 2026 National Budget, while short-term classroom needs will rely on the Special Education Fund and local resources.
Jimenez said DepEd usually allocates P3.5 million per classroom based on DPWH computations.
For retrofitting works and repairs, DepEd 7 will allocate at least P750,000 for schools with major damage and another P500,000 for minor damage.
Jimenez said DepEd 7 is pooling funds, and with the ongoing assessment, he cannot yet provide the exact amount needed for school repairs and reconstruction. (EHP)