GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 14 August 2026) — Parents expressed concerns over their children’s safety as face-to-face classes resumed on Thursday, two months after being suspended due to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8 that damaged several structures. Willa Bravo, whose sons aged six and nine attend Balunto-Labangal Elementary School, prefers face-to-face learning over modular methods but remains unsure about the safety of school buildings. “Face-to-face is better because the child can really learn,” she said in the vernacular, noting that aftershocks have weakened but safety is still uncertain. Under Executive Order No. 48 issued on August 12, schools must comply with structural integrity clearances, building occupancy limits, and earthquake safety protocols. Another parent, “Jay” from Notre Dame Dadiangas University, supports face-to-face classes but emphasizes the need for earthquake preparedness, including drills and training for students, teachers, and parents. He stressed the importance of teachers being well-prepared to guide students during emergencies. The city government has prioritized earthquake preparedness alongside class resumption, mandating mental health support, safety orientations, and daily “Duck, Cover, and Hold” exercises before classes, along with quarterly evacuation drills. Multi-story school buildings are restricted to the first and second floors unless approved for higher levels after safety assessments. (Justine Paul Paraz/MindaNews)
