MANILA, Philippines – On June 8, classes in public schools opened a new academic year, but it was immediately disrupted in Mindanao after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani province at 7:37 am, rocking many parts of Mindanao.
At least 46 people died due to the quake, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its update on June 13. Davao Region recorded seven deaths, 40 injured, and 22 missing, while Soccskargen counted 39 deaths, 647 injured, and 16 missing.
The NDRRMC also said at least 100,782 families have been affected by the earthquake, according to the latest situational report. At least 1,883 families are still in evacuation centers.
On June 10, the Department of Education reported that at least 1,462 classrooms were destroyed, while 5,840 had either minor or major damage in the aftermath of the tremor, prompting the agency to allocate millions of pesos for school repairs and construction of makeshift classrooms.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) announced devastating news on June 8 as it confirmed the deaths of basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Ateneo said Baterbonia, 18, and Adili, 21, drowned during the Blue Eagles’ team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.
