The Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC) has urgently requested national government support following devastating damage from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on June 8. The estimated cost of infrastructural losses is around P900 million.
Destruction Across Campus
The earthquake has severely impacted the MSU-GSC, with at least 16 buildings across its three campuses suffering significant damage. Facilities affected include dormitories, an infirmary, and various academic and administrative structures.
Our immediate priority is the normalization of operations.
Shidik Zed Abantas, Chancellor of MSU-GSC
Chancellor Abantas highlighted that core administrative functions have been relocated to temporary spaces to ensure continuity of essential services. Despite these efforts, the ongoing damage assessment may lead to an increase in the estimated repair costs.
The college remains active with summer classes and new student enrollment, hosting around 10,000 students on its 156-hectare campus in Barangay Fatima.
Chancellor Abantas expressed disappointment that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not visit the campus during a recent trip to Sarangani province, stating, "We are sorry that the president did not have time to visit our campus."
The MSU-GSC is preparing to formally submit a damage report to the national government. This report will also be shared with Senator Bam Aquino, who recently visited the campus.
As an integral part of the MSU system established in 1960, MSU-GSC has a history of providing quality education, especially for underprivileged students from diverse backgrounds. The current crisis poses a significant challenge to its ongoing mission.