Severe Earthquake Hits Southern Leyte, Damaging Over 300 Classrooms
TACLOBAN CITY—On January 23, 2025, a significant earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 rocked Southern Leyte, causing widespread damage to educational facilities in the region.
“/> QUAKE IMPACT. Cracks were seen in one of the classrooms of Manhilo Elementary School in Maasin City, Southern Leyte, after the magnitude 5.8 earthquake on January 23, 2025. At least 324 classrooms were damaged by the temblor, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office. (Photo courtesy of Manhilo Elementary School)
Extent of Damaged Infrastructure
According to the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office reported on January 28, 2025, the earthquake resulted in extensive damage to school facilities across Southern Leyte. At least 324 classrooms were damaged, impacting educational activities in numerous communities.
Jazmin Calzita, the DepEd regional information officer, emphasized the severity of the damage. “Our assessment shows that 28 classrooms were completely destroyed, 77 had major damage, and 219 had minor damage,” Calzita explained to the Philippine News Agency.
Immediate Response and Safety Measures
In response to the earthquake, the DepEd took immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff. Calzita highlighted the measures put in place: “We initiated immediate response and assessment actions to ensure the safety of students, staff, and school facilities.”
The DepEd aims to complete a comprehensive damage assessment by the end of the week. Schools are also slated to submit funding requests to the DepEd and local government units to facilitate repair and recovery efforts.
Continuity of Education
Recognizing the importance of maintaining educational continuity, the DepEd instructed schools to establish temporary learning spaces if necessary. This action is crucial to minimizing disruption to students’ education.
“Our instruction to schools is to establish temporary learning spaces if necessary so as not to disrupt classes,” Calzita stressed.
Geological Context and Recurring Earthquakes
Southern Leyte sits in a seismically active region, making the area prone to earthquakes. The quake on January 23 struck 10.01 kilometers southeast of the municipality of San Francisco.
Southern Leyte and neighboring provinces experience earthquakes regularly due to their location in one of the most seismically active regions in the archipelago, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
The recurrent nature of these earthquakes underscores the need for continuous preparedness and resilience measures in the education sector.
Conclusion
The January 23 earthquake in Southern Leyte serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activities. The DepEd’s swift and comprehensive response is instrumental in safeguarding the educational opportunities of the area’s students and staff.
As the region continues to work towards recovery and resilience, the collaboration between the DepEd, local government units, and the community will be crucial in ensuring a safer and more secure educational environment for all.
Stay Informed and Engaged
We encourage our readers to stay informed and engaged as we continue to update this story and provide further developments related to the earthquake and its aftermath.
Remember, your safety and the safety of your loved ones are top priorities. Stay tuned for more updates and share this information with your community.
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