Quake damage to Cebu schools may exceed P1B

The Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) revealed that the damage to schools in Cebu Province may exceed P1 billion following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu on September 30, 2025.

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DepEd-7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez confirmed in an interview that the ongoing assessment already points to widespread destruction affecting both learners and teachers across the northern towns and cities.

“Based on the 5th congressional district alone, the damage is already around P400 million. If you multiply that by all seven districts, so it’s already more than a billion,” Jimenez explained.

The DepEd-7 chief also reported that more than 50,000 learners and at least 1,421 teaching and non-teaching personnel have been affected by the quake, including 887 in Bogo City.

Jimenez said Education Secretary Sonny Angara issued instructions during his visit to Cebu on October 2 to fast-track the assessment of damage. Angara has since ordered DepEd to work closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to access the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for school repairs.