CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Classes resumed Tuesday, June 9, in Cagayan de Oro City after local authorities declared school buildings safe following inspections prompted by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that shook Mindanao on Monday.

Mayor Rolando “Klarex” A. Uy ordered the resumption of classes at all levels after rapid assessments found no major structural damage to schools, allowing students and teachers to safely return to campuses.

The city had earlier suspended classes from primary school to Grade 6 in public schools under Executive Order No. 256-2026 to give engineers and disaster response teams time to inspect school facilities.

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Private schools and higher education institutions were authorized to make their own decisions based on campus safety assessments.

Several schools, including Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and Capitol University, conducted inspections and released advisories to their respective communities.

What students and parents need to know

As of Tuesday morning, class suspension policies differ across Northern Mindanao as local governments continue post-earthquake assessments.

In Cagayan de Oro City, classes have resumed at all levels, and school facilities have been declared safe for occupancy.

In Iligan and Gingoog City, classes remain suspended in all public and private schools under Executive Order No. 61, Series of 2026. The suspension covers June 8 and 9 while authorities continue safety evaluations.

Meanwhile, in Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Camiguin, and Lanao del Norte, students and parents are advised to monitor announcements from their respective local government units, school administrations, and the Department of Education for updated suspension advisories and safety notices.

Safety remains top priority

The suspension orders came after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed concerned agencies and local governments to prioritize student safety in areas affected by the earthquake.

The Department of Education is coordinating with local officials to assess school conditions and determine when normal operations can safely resume.

Read also: Why the quake hit hard—and triggered a tsunami alert

Education officials continue to remind schools to inspect classrooms, buildings, electrical systems, and evacuation routes before fully reopening.

Parents are encouraged to verify announcements through official LGU, school, and DepEd channels to avoid misinformation and ensure the safety of learners.

While classes have resumed in Cagayan de Oro, earthquake assessments are still ongoing in several areas of Northern Mindanao. Students and parents should stay alert for local advisories as authorities monitor aftershocks and school safety conditions.