Koronadal City Schools Cleared to Resume Classes After Devastating Earthquake
Koronadal City, South Cotabato — Public schools in Koronadal City are among those cleared to resume face-to-face classes after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani province on June 8, 2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region XII announced.
The earthquake, one of the strongest to hit Mindanao in recent years, forced the suspension of classes across the entire Soccsksargen region (Region XII), affecting hundreds of thousands of learners and thousands of teaching and non-teaching personnel. Schools were immediately closed as a precautionary measure while structural safety inspections were conducted.
DepEd Region XII Director Allan Farnazo confirmed that most schools in Koronadal City have been assessed and declared safe for occupancy. “We have coordinated with local government units, engineers, and disaster risk reduction teams to ensure that our school buildings are structurally sound before we allow students and teachers to return,” Farnazo said in a statement.
The department noted that while the majority of schools are now cleared to operate, a few campuses in harder-hit areas within the region remain under evaluation. Alternative delivery modes of learning, including modular and online instruction, will continue to be utilized for students in these areas.
Parents and guardians in Koronadal City have expressed relief at the news. Many have been juggling work and childcare responsibilities since the earthquake disrupted the school calendar. “Malaking tulong na makabalik na sa klase ang mga bata para makabalik na rin sa normal na routine ang lahat,” said Maria Santos, a parent of two elementary students at a local public school.
DepEd has also reminded schools to conduct earthquake drills and brief students on emergency preparedness protocols as part of the resumption process. Psychosocial support services will be made available to students and staff who may still be experiencing trauma from the disaster.
The June 8 earthquake caused significant damage to infrastructure across South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and parts of North Cotabato. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with local government units and national agencies working together to restore essential services and help affected communities rebuild.
Classes in cleared Koronadal City schools are expected to resume in the coming days, following the completion of safety assessments and campus preparations.