ILOILO — Nearly 75,000 learners across Iloilo Province were forced to shift to alternative learning modes on Tuesday after a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck Monday evening, March 2, prompting the suspension of in-person classes in 125 schools and triggering widespread structural inspections of public facilities.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 reported that 74,243 learners from the Schools Division of Iloilo City and the Schools Division of Iloilo province were covered by face-to-face class suspensions.
To ensure continuity of education while classroom safety checks are underway, DepEd-6 implemented the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM), allowing students to continue lessons remotely as engineers assess the structural integrity of school buildings.
The affected schools include 19 public schools in Tubungan with 2,226 learners; 12 schools in Oton with 4,462 learners; 32 schools in Tigbauan with 10,636 learners; and 17 schools in Guimbal with 4,462 learners.
Iloilo National High School alone accounted for 6,476 learners, while 44 schools in Iloilo City affected 45,981 learners.
DepEd-6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. stressed that decisions on class suspensions must strictly comply with DepEd Order No. 22, series of 2024.
“The safety and education of our students and educators are our top priorities during these challenging times,” Escullar said.
He added that the department remains committed to supporting schools and ensuring that learning continues despite disruptions caused by natural hazards.
DepEd-6 reiterated that classes are automatically suspended when an earthquake of Intensity VI or higher is declared by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), underscoring the importance of clear protocols during seismic events.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) conducted a rapid visual inspection of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and declared the structure safe.
“Our inspection found no noticeable defects along any of the structural members of the building. Therefore, we declare that the building is structurally safe at this time,” said Provincial Engineer Romeo Andig.
PDRRMO head Cornelio Salinas reminded Capitol employees to strictly observe safety procedures in case of aftershocks.
“Kindly internalize the emergency procedure: ‘duck, cover, and hold.’ In the event of ground shaking, please do not rush; instead, walk briskly to safety. This must become our conditioned response in emergencies like earthquakes,” Salinas said.
The Iloilo City government also carried out rapid structural assessments of key infrastructures, reporting no significant structural damage in public markets, condominiums, and Business Process Outsourcing establishments.
Although residents — particularly those in mid- and high-rise buildings — reported strong ground shaking, only minor hairline cracks and swaying of hanging objects were observed in some establishments.
PHIVOLCS identified the epicenter in Guimbal, Iloilo. Intensity IV was recorded in Guimbal, Miag-ao, Tigbauan, Oton and Iloilo City, while Intensity III was felt in San Remegio, Antique; San Joaquin, Iloilo; and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.
Authorities continue to monitor possible aftershocks as inspections proceed, with officials emphasizing that safety remains the paramount concern while affected schools and offices gradually resume normal operations./PN
