More than 8,000 schools across affected areas in Mindanao suspended classes following the powerful earthquake that struck General Santos City and nearby provinces, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported during a press briefing on Tuesday, June 9.

Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said the Department of Education (DepEd) has recorded around 8,208 schools that suspended classes as authorities continue safety inspections and damage assessments in quake-hit areas.

“In terms naman po of class suspension… halos 8,208 ay nag-suspend ng classes as of yesterday,” Alejandro said.

He added that significant damage to school facilities was reported, particularly in Region 12 and Region 11, where hundreds of classrooms were affected, and thousands of learners were impacted. DepEd assessments are still ongoing and may take three to four days before schools can safely resume face-to-face classes.

“Sa Region 12, umaabot po ng 1,023 students… Sa Region 11, 192 school facilities… tuloy-tuloy po ang pag-a-assess,” he said.

Authorities also confirmed that all classes remain suspended in Region 11 and Region 12, while suspensions also continue in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) due to ongoing safety evaluations of school structures.

The statement comes in the wake of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao, including General Santos City, triggering widespread tremors, structural inspections, and precautionary shutdowns in affected communities.

Government disaster agencies continue to coordinate response operations, with priority placed on structural safety checks, relief distribution, and the gradual normalization of school operations once buildings are declared safe.

Officials urged the public to remain alert for aftershocks as assessments and disaster response efforts continue across the region.