Pampanga orders school inspections after nearby earthquakes

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda has ordered structural inspections of all 567 public schools in Pampanga and mandated province-wide earthquake drills following recent tremors in Zambales, Cebu, and Davao that were partially felt in the province.

The directive, announced during an emergency meeting on 15 October with officials from the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the police, requires teachers and principals to submit initial damage reports documenting cracks, leaks, or structural issues in classrooms.

A joint team composed of provincial engineers, DepEd, and DPWH personnel will prioritize multi-story buildings for inspection and close schools deemed unsafe until repairs are completed.

Governor Pineda described the inspections as a preventive measure, saying, “We cannot gamble with our children’s lives. Panic helps no one—our goal is preparedness.”

The DPWH will implement a Program of Work to fast-track repairs, though no completion timeline has been announced. The provincial government also plans to conduct earthquake drills and safety training for school staff, but details remain pending.

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Leandro Canlas noted that many schools, built decades ago, “may not meet current seismic standards.”

Some parents welcomed the inspections but demanded transparency. “Are they sharing the results with us? We need to know if our children’s classrooms are safe,” said Lisa Torno, a mother of two high school students in Barangay Maimpis.

Others expressed frustration over the lack of urgency. “What’s the timeline? Inspections mean nothing if repairs take years,” said Toriok Licup, a father of four public school students in the city.

Governor Pineda’s office has not yet clarified how inspection results will be released but maintained that “student safety is non-negotiable.”