The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office (SDO) of General Santos City resumed face-to-face classes across public elementary and secondary schools on Thursday, August 13.
The reopening follows comprehensive structural assessments, multi-agency safety clearances, and strict alignment with local government directives after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the region on June 8.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that disaster recovery must balance learning continuity with uncompromising safety standards for all learners and teaching personnel.
“Our priority is bringing our children back to school safely. Disaster risk reduction in education isn’t just about repairing walls; it’s about restoring a secure, supportive environment where learners feel confident to study again,” Angara said.
“Through close coordination with local government units and disaster management teams, we are ensuring that flexibility, vigilance, and safety drive our transition every step of the way.”
The reopening follows DepEd guidelines on disaster response and safe learning environments, aligned with General Santos City Mayor Lorelie G. Pacquiao’s Executive Order No. 48, s. 2026, issued after joint consultations among DepEd GenSan, the City Government, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
To protect learner well-being, August 13 and 14 were dedicated to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) and school safety orientations, allowing learners and personnel to adjust before academic lessons fully resume.
Under the DepEd General Santos City safety guidelines, building occupancy is strictly restricted to the first two floors, while upper levels and damaged structures remain off-limits pending engineering clearance.
Ground-level Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), covered courts, or shifted schedules are being utilized where classrooms are compromised.
To maintain emergency readiness, all schools are required to conduct daily 5-to-10-minute classroom drills, such as the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” protocol, alongside quarterly campus-wide evacuation and fire exercises.
School heads have also been granted full authority to implement Alternative Delivery Modalities (ADM)—including blended, modular, or online learning—based on facility readiness and learner density.
DepEd SDO GenSan monitoring teams are currently inspecting campuses citywide. Teams are verifying emergency workflows, checking security protocols, ensuring first-aid readiness, and confirming the distribution and availability of learning materials.
DepEd and the City Government of General Santos encourage parents and community stakeholders to remain calm, stay vigilant, and rely on official advisories as schools build resilience and restore normal operations.
