Government suspends classes, work after temblor

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos ordered the suspension of classes at all levels “until further notice” in areas affected by the earthquake in Mindanao yesterday.

“I have directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately,” the President said in a message, issued shortly after the magnitude 7.8 quake struck, with its epicenter in the town of Maasim in Sarangani.

Ordering a whole-of-government approach, Marcos said the Office of Civil Defense and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) were coordinating disaster response efforts and monitoring the situation across all affected areas.

Department of Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said quick response teams were deployed in evacuation sites in Sarangani, while DSWD Region 12 had sent 1,500 family food packs and five family tents to affected families in General Santos City.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways is ready to deploy its personnel to assess damage to roads, bridges and critical infrastructure, and to clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations.

The quake happened as classes for school year 2026-2027 opened yesterday.

“The safety of our children comes first. The Department of Education (DepEd) will coordinate with local government units on this,” the President said.

A tsunami warning was also issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology across several coastal provinces in Mindanao.

“To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind,” Marcos stressed.

The Chief Executive said the national government is mobilizing all necessary resources and assured the public that Mindanao will not be left behind.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government has sufficient calamity fund to support communities.

As of June 5, the combined quick response funds (QRFs) of national government disaster response agencies amount to P13.14 billion, while the NDRRMC has an available balance of P34.23 billion, the Department of Budget and Management said.

The DBM said all QRF-assisted agencies may immediately tap their allocations. Under existing rules, agencies may request replenishment once 50 percent of their QRFs have been utilized.

Asked whether the President would visit the quake-hit province, Castro said the Chief Executive would not want his personal presence at the calamity sites to distract ongoing clearing and rescue and relief operations.

Sen. Bong Go, meanwhile, expressed his sympathies with his “fellow Mindanaoans hit by the powerful quake.”

“I call on our local government units to immediately conduct immediate assessment of all affected buildings and structures, because the safety of our fellowmen must be our priority to avoid further damage,” he said. — Evelyn Macairan, Rhodina Villanueva, Delon Porcalla, Aubrey Rose Inosante, Ghio Ong, Pia Lee-Brago