NDDU Campus Damaged by Magnitude 7.8 Mindanao Earthquake
Digos City, Davao del Sur — Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), one of the most prominent educational institutions in Digos City, sustained significant damage during the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on the morning of June 8, 2026.
The powerful tremor, which had its epicenter off the coast of Sarangani, caused a building on the NDDU campus to tilt, raising serious concerns about structural integrity. Students and faculty were immediately evacuated from affected buildings as university administrators and local disaster response teams assessed the extent of the damage.
NDDU, operated by the Archdiocese of Digos, is a cornerstone of the city educational landscape, serving thousands of students from Digos City and surrounding municipalities in Davao del Sur. The university offers a wide range of programs from elementary to graduate levels, and its damage has disrupted the academic calendar for thousands of learners.
The earthquake also forced the suspension of classes across the entire Davao Region, affecting not only NDDU but also other major institutions such as the University of Mindanao and the University of the Immaculate Conception. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued a directive suspending classes at all levels to allow for thorough safety inspections of school facilities.
University officials have assured parents and students that the institution is working closely with structural engineers and local government authorities to evaluate the safety of all campus buildings. Temporary learning arrangements, including online classes and alternative venues, are being considered to minimize disruption to the academic year.
The June 8 earthquake was one of the strongest to hit Mindanao in recent years, with tremors felt as far as Davao City, General Santos City, and other parts of SOCCSKSARGEN. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded multiple aftershocks in the days following the main quake, prompting continued vigilance among residents.
Community members in Digos City have rallied together in the aftermath of the disaster, with local organizations and volunteer groups providing relief assistance to affected families. The spirit of bayanihan — the Filipino tradition of communal unity — has been evident as residents help one another clean up debris, share food, and support those whose homes were damaged.
As recovery efforts continue, NDDU has expressed optimism that the university will be able to resume normal operations soon, with safety as the top priority. The institution has been a beacon of education and faith in Digos City for decades, and the community remains committed to seeing it rise stronger from this challenge.
— Sources: Philippine News Agency, GMA Network, Inquirer.net, SunStar Davao