SOUTH COTABATO — Maltana National High School has been declared the most earthquake-ready public high school in South Cotabato after topping the 2025 School-Based Earthquake Preparedness and Response Proficiency Assessment conducted by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato through the Office of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (OPDRRMO).
The province-wide assessment subjected participating schools to on-site, performance-based evaluations, simulating real earthquake scenarios to test how schools respond during critical moments.
Evaluators measured alarm activation, evacuation flow, assembly area management, headcount accuracy, and incident termination procedures, ensuring that preparedness was tested not just on paper but in actual practice.s
Following Maltana National High School in the rankings were Lake Sebu National High School, which placed second, and Poblacion Polomolok National High School, which secured third place, demonstrating strong disaster response capabilities among the top-performing schools.
Meanwhile, Sto. Niño National High School, Malaya National High School, Norala National High School, Cebuano National High School, Lamian National High School, Tboli National High School, Esperanza National High School, and Tantangan National High School received consolation prizes, recognizing their active participation and commitment to strengthening school safety systems.
According to OPDRRMO–South Cotabato, the assessment is part of the continuing implementation of safety training programs in schools, in line with the directive of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. to enhance disaster preparedness and risk reduction in the education sector.
The Provincial Government emphasized that regular drills, assessments, and capacity-building activities are being institutionalized to ensure that learners, teachers, and school personnel are equipped with practical, life-saving skills during seismic emergencies.
By proactively testing and improving school readiness before disasters strike, the initiative reinforces South Cotabato’s commitment to the “Tama at Maayos na Serbisyo” brand of public service—prioritizing prevention, operational readiness, and the protection of school communities across the province.
