13/06/2026
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The Department of Education (DepEd) Region XII announced that the Schools Division Office (SDO) of General Santos City has been placed under the โHintoโ learning continuity level following the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake, resulting in the continued suspension of classes until further notice to prioritize the safety and well-being of learners and education personnel.
Based on the Learning Continuity Level summary released by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN earlier today, General Santos City is among only two school divisions in the region currently classified under the โHintoโ category, alongside Sarangani Province.
The advisory covers 106 schools under the SDO of General Santos City, with the resumption of classes remaining suspended pending further safety assessments and official clearance from the appropriate authorities.
DepEd RXII said it continues to monitor and support the implementation of learning continuity measures across all Schools Division Offices affected by the earthquake.
As per the announcement, safety assessments, psychosocial support activities, and coordinated interventions remain in place as schools prepare for the eventual resumption of classes.
Several divisions in the region have already been cleared to continue operations under the โHayo/Continueโ learning continuity level, including Cotabato Province, Kidapawan City, Koronadal City, Tacurong City, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.
Classes in Cotabato Province are scheduled to resume on June 10, 2026, while Kidapawan City, Koronadal City, Tacurong City, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat are set to return to face-to-face learning on June 15, 2026.
For divisions under the โHayo/Continueโ category, schools have been directed to conduct opening block activities, including Kumustahan sessions and Psychological First Aid (PFA), before the start of regular instructional activities.
School heads and teachers have likewise been instructed to facilitate orientations and well-being check-ins before formally resuming classroom instruction.
The department also advised schools not to rush the completion of assessments such as the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA), Rapid Math Assessment (RMA), and Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI).
Under DepEd Order No. 9, the assessment window has been extended until July 10, 2026, allowing schools to conduct evaluations without placing additional pressure on learners affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, local school communities in General Santos City continue to observe strict safety measures as authorities inspect school facilities for possible structural damage caused by the earthquake.
DepEd previously reported that more than 1,100 classrooms across the region sustained damage due to the earthquake, highlighting the scale of the disaster's impact on the education sector.
As monitoring and recovery efforts continue, education officials are expected to determine the readiness of affected schools through ongoing structural evaluations, psychosocial interventions, and strengthened disaster preparedness measures before announcing the safe resumption of classes in General Santos City.
By Cindy Eslera, TC Associate Editor
