Teacher's heroic act averts tragedy as Davao school ceiling caves in

• A classroom ceiling at Lapu-Lapu Elementary School in Davao City collapsed during class on October 7, 2025

• Approximately 40 Grade 4 students sustained minor injuries but were safely evacuated

• The quick execution of the 'duck, cover, and hold' drill by the teacher helped prevent serious harm

• School authorities have reported the incident to DepEd and DPWH, and the school has shifted to a blended learning setup

A shocking incident at Lapu-Lapu Elementary School in Agdao, Davao City, has brought into sharp focus the alarming state of public school infrastructure after a classroom ceiling suddenly gave way during a class session.

Approximately 40 Grade 4 students sustained minor injuries and experienced severe trauma when the ceiling of their third-floor classroom collapsed on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Grade 4 adviser Marites Caneda recounted the terrifying moment, stating that she heard a distinct creaking sound from above just before the ceiling plummeted.

Acting on instinct and training, she immediately initiated the standard "duck, cover, and hold" earthquake procedure.

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This quick thinking proved crucial, as the children quickly took cover under their desks and then crawled to safety out of the damaged room, avoiding what could have been a major tragedy.

"Ang narinig ko kasi, Ma’am, ingay sa taas… akala namin, lindol so ang mga bata, automatic nag-duck cover and hold," Caneda explained.

"Na shot aning mga bangko naay niana sa ako so akong giana so that makalusot ang mga bata, makakamang nag-crawl sila pagawas, nagka-minor injuries sila."

The school immediately provided stress debriefing for the affected students to help them process the frightening experience.

The teacher issued a pointed appeal to government bodies, particularly those involved in construction, saying, "In a blink of a second, ingon ato ang mahitabo sa amoa. Among panawagan sa gobyerno nga kung mag-construct og school facility, especially classrooms, see to it safety ang number one i-prioritize."

Parents have expressed deep concern and fear for their children's security, although they maintain trust in the quick action of the school's staff.

School Principal Ruby Briones confirmed that the incident has been reported to both the Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

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A maintenance team from the DPWH was immediately dispatched for site inspection and to clear the debris.

The collapse has revealed broader integrity issues within the school building. Briones acknowledged that other classrooms exhibit signs of disrepair, including sagging ceilings and floor cracks, which she attributed to wear and tear exacerbated by past earthquakes in the region.

She assured that an allocated budget for the building's rehabilitation is in place. Pending full safety clearance, the school has implemented a blended learning setup for the affected Grade 4 students and other pupils occupying rooms with identified structural problems, ensuring that students do not return to unsafe learning environments.

The incident underscores the critical and urgent need for a comprehensive audit and repair of aging school buildings across the country.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

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In other news, a 36-year-old man was shot and killed at close range while eating dinner inside his home in the Aroma Compound, Tondo, Manila. The Manila Police District (MPD) believes the motive is a territorial dispute linked to illegal activities, specifically utility tampering. CCTV footage confirms that an armed suspect entered the house and shot the victim before escaping with accomplices. The police have arrested one suspect in the compound and have identified and are searching for the gunman and the lookout.

Still in other news, a Filipino crew member died following a Houthi attack on the Dutch-flagged MV Minervagracht. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac expressed condolences and confirmed the repatriation of the sailor’s remains. Another Filipino crewman is recovering, while 10 others have already been repatriated to Manila. The Houthis claim their attacks on shipping are in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Source: KAMI.com.gh