PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday inspected Malapatan National High School in Sarangani to personally assess the damage caused by the recent earthquake that struck the province.

During the visit, Marcos directed the Department of Education (DepEd) to continue conducting inspections of all schools affected by the disaster to determine the extent of the damage and identify urgent rehabilitation needs.

The President also instructed DepEd to prepare a list of teachers affected by the earthquake so they can receive housing and financial assistance from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Following the inspection, Education Secretary Sonny Angara reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to accelerating recovery efforts through on-site assessments and close coordination among government agencies to fast-track the reconstruction of damaged classrooms and ensure the immediate resumption of learning.

“Hindi natin hahayaang mapag-iwanan ang ating mga mag-aaral dahil sa trahedyang ito. Sisiguraduhin nating ligtas at maayos ang kanilang pagbabalik sa eskwela sa lalong madaling panahon,” Angara said.

“Ang bawat pisong inilalaan natin sa paglilinis at pagsasaayos ng ating mga silid-aralan ay pamumuhunan para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan sa kabila ng hamon ng sakuna,” he added.

Angara also highlighted the challenges faced by teachers who were likewise affected by the earthquake.

“Batid namin ang matinding pagsubok na pinagdadaanan ng ating mga guro—marami sa kanila ang nawalan din ng tirahan at ari-arian dahil sa lindol. Hindi lang basta silid-aralan ang ating itatayo muli; sisiguraduhin nating may sapat na suporta para sa ating mga gurong nagsisilbing katuwang natin sa pagbangon ng ating mga komunidad,” he said.

Malapatan National High School, which serves 2,408 learners and employs 129 school personnel, sustained extensive structural damage, including 22 classrooms that were declared totally damaged, prompting the need for immediate government intervention.