Surigao del Sur suspends classes ‘until further notice’ amid aftershocks
TANDAG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR—Local government units in Surigao del Sur have extended the suspension of in-person classes at all levels, both in public and private schools, starting last Monday “until further notice” while the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis team conducts evaluations of school buildings and government facilities.
The decision came after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck General Luna, the main tourist destination on Siargo Island in Surigao del Norte, on Oct. 17, followed by a magnitude 5.6 tremor that hit 23 kilometers southeast of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, on Oct. 18.
The subsequent aftershocks continued to be felt across the Caraga region, including Surigao del Sur, prompted intensified inspections of school structures and precautionary measures to protect the public.
Traumatized
The municipalities of Cantilan, Tago, Tagbina, Lanuza, Madrid, San Miguel, Carmen, and Carrascal have issued official advisories and executive orders extending the class suspension to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and school personnel.
Authorities stressed the importance of prioritizing safety before resuming normal operations.
In Tagbina, classes were suspended from Oct. 20 to Oct. 24, with schools encouraged to adopt modular or alternative learning methods to avoid disruptions in instruction. The municipalities of Tago and Cagwait also extended their class suspensions as part of ongoing safety protocols.
Carmen Mayor Nestor Valeroso explained that while school buildings were found to be structurally sound, the local government decided to keep classes suspended to allow students and teachers time to recover emotionally from the trauma and anxiety caused by the recent quakes.
At the tertiary level, the North Eastern Mindanao State University announced that its campuses here and in the towns of Cantilan, Cagwait, San Miguel, Lianga, Tagbina, and Bislig City will shift to online learning until further notice, a move aimed to ensure academic continuity while prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and faculty members.
Local officials and disaster risk reduction offices continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and observe safety protocols as aftershocks are continuously felt throughout the region.
