Classes in all levels have been suspended in areas of Mindanao affected by the strong earthquake that struck off Sarangani province on Monday morning.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension until further notice, saying the safety of students must be prioritized as authorities assess the impact of the quake and respond to the tsunami warning issued for coastal communities.
“I have directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately…I am also ordering the suspension of classes in all levels across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice. The safety of our children comes first. DepEd will coordinate with local government units on this,” Marcos said.
The President also urged residents in affected provinces, particularly those in coastal areas, to follow government advisories and move to safer ground.
“To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind. The national government is moving, and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” he added.
Marcos said he remains in constant communication with regional offices and local chief executives on the ground to ensure that the needs of affected communities are addressed.
He said the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are coordinating response and monitoring efforts across affected areas.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has also been directed to pre-position relief goods and ensure that evacuation centers are ready and operational, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is on standby to assess damage to roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure, and to clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani province at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, affecting many parts of Mindanao and triggering a tsunami warning.