A total of 918 classrooms across the Davao Region have been reported damaged following the twin earthquakes that struck the region on October 10, 2025, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 11.
DepEd 11 spokesperson Jenielito Atillo shared the data during the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday.
Atillo said 316 classrooms were reported to be totally damaged in Davao Oriental.
“When we say totally damaged, that means these are no longer safe to use. We will never allow anybody to enter these classrooms because the risk is quite high,” Atillo said.
Aside from Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur recorded 186 classrooms totally damaged; Davao de Oro, 178; Davao City, 100; Mati City, 76; Davao Occidental, 25; and Tagum City, two. Other areas in the region reported no cases of total classroom destruction.
Atillo said DepEd is implementing several measures to ensure the continuity of learning despite the widespread damage.
“We are now utilizing alternative delivery modes, either modular or online. We also implement class shifting if there are still usable classrooms or buildings. If shifting is no longer possible, we use temporary learning spaces such as tents,” he explained.
He also provided an overview of how local DepEd divisions are responding to the situation: Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Digos City, IGaCoS, Mati City, Panabo City, and Davao City — implementing blended learning and alternative delivery modes, while Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Tagum City have resumed face-to-face classes.
Atillo stressed that no school will be allowed to reopen for face-to-face classes without proper safety clearance.
“Kung muingon mi ug okay na buot pasabot na anay pagtugot nga gikan sa mga eksperto sama sa mga engineers sa DepEd, DPWH, ug sa LGU,” he said.
Atillo added that DepEd assured that it continues to coordinate with concerned agencies for the repair and reconstruction of damaged classrooms to restore normal learning conditions as soon as possible.
