Thousands of Cebu Classrooms Cracked and Collapsed After Quakes

More than 4,600 classrooms across Cebu Province have been reported damaged following the series of earthquakes that struck the island in recent weeks, according to the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd 7).

DepEd 7 Regional Director Dr. Salustiano Jimenez revealed in a news forum on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, that of the total affected classrooms, 755 were declared destroyed, 1,252 sustained major damage, and 2,661 suffered minor damage. The overall estimated cost of damage has reached nearly ₱4 billion, he added.

Jimenez explained that the continuous aftershocks following the major quakes have worsened the condition of school buildings across the province, complicating rehabilitation efforts.

“Kani nga school at first kay wala pa siya damage, ang report zero. But the following day kay naa nay minor damage. Kani nga school kay minor damage ang reported but the following days kay major damage na ang reports,” Jimenez said.

(“This school initially had no reported damage — zero. But the following day, minor damage was reported. Then, what was first reported as minor damage eventually turned into major damage in the succeeding days.”)

He said that many of the structures that initially passed inspection developed cracks and instability after the succeeding tremors. The series of earthquakes also slowed down ongoing repair and reconstruction efforts due to safety concerns and unfavorable weather conditions.

DepEd 7 engineers, together with personnel from local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMO), have so far inspected over 500 schools throughout Cebu Province, including areas in Bantayan and Camotes Islands, which were among the hardest hit.

The assessment teams, which include local and regional experts, continue to evaluate the structural integrity of school buildings to determine which facilities are safe for occupancy and which require immediate repair or reconstruction.

Jimenez said the department is consolidating reports from field engineers and school heads to identify schools that need urgent structural inspection and temporary learning spaces before classes can fully resume.

To address the disruption to classes, DepEd 7 has begun the clearing of debris in heavily damaged schools as a first step toward recovery. Once sites are cleared, the agency plans to build Temporary Learning Sites (TLS) to accommodate displaced students while reconstruction is ongoing.

Funds from the central office have been downloaded to the regional department to support these efforts. DepEd’s Disaster Response Funds will also be used to help shoulder the cost of clearing operations and initial repairs.

Jimenez emphasized that the department’s priority is to restore safe learning spaces as quickly as possible. “We are working closely with engineers and local governments to make sure our learners can return to school without compromising their safety,” he said.

In coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), DepEd 7 will utilize the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for schools with severe damage.

According to Jimenez, the QRF provides more than ₱1 million for the repair of each school requiring extensive rehabilitation.

For schools with damage assessed at less than ₱1 million, DepEd 7 will handle the repairs directly through its regional maintenance and operations funds.

Jimenez said the agency will also prioritize schools in remote or island municipalities that face greater logistical challenges in the transport of construction materials and manpower.

Despite the setbacks, Jimenez assured that DepEd 7 remains committed to restoring normal learning conditions. “We are doing everything we can to ensure continuity of education, even as we rebuild,” he said.

As engineers continue their assessment and repairs begin, thousands of students across Cebu Province remain in temporary learning spaces or modular classes while awaiting the rehabilitation of their damaged classrooms.