Pampanga orders province-wide inspection of schools after recent quakes

The Provincial Government has ordered a province-wide inspection of all schools in Pampanga to ensure the safety of educators and students in light of the frequent earthquakes occurring across the country.

Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda emphasized that the safety and welfare of Kapampangan students remain the highest priority of the Provincial Government. She called on school district supervisors, the Philippine National Police, the Provincial Engineer’s Office, the Provincial Library, and the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Pampanga to participate in the inspection.

The inspection aims to ensure the structural integrity and safety of school buildings, especially after recent powerful earthquakes struck Cebu, Davao, and Zambales, with tremors also felt in Pampanga.

Pineda also directed teachers and principals to conduct an initial physical assessment of their classrooms to identify cracks, damages, and other signs that require repair.

“Ang aming dapat gawin, tignan ang structural integrity ng aming mga school buildings lalo na po yung mga multi-storey namin para sa ganoon makita ho namin ang mga structure na kailangan nang ideclare na unsafe po para sa aming mga learners,” an assistant schools division superintendent of DepEd Pampanga said.

An inspection team composed of personnel from the Provincial, Municipal, and DepEd Engineers will be formed, along with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to identify priority areas and immediately carry out repairs.

The Provincial Government will also request the Program of Work from the DPWH to monitor the repair and rehabilitation of the affected school buildings.

Gov. Pineda assured residents, “Huwag mag-panic at manatiling kalmado. Ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat para sa kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral.”

The Provincial Government will call for another meeting with principals from Pampanga’s 567 public elementary and high schools to organize earthquake drills and safety seminars in preparation for possible future calamities.