DepEd appeals not to use schools as evacuation centers ahead of La Niña

The Department of Education (DepEd) has been requesting local government units across the country to refrain from using schools as evacuation centers this upcoming rainy season as it may result in learning disruptions among students.

DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa on Thursday said that the agency has already raised this concern during the latest council meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

"Tayo ay nagbigay na rin ng posisyon na sana ay talagang hindi na magamit ang ating mga paaralan as evacuation centers dahil nga talagang hindi maiiwasan minsan na tumatagal ang stay at nagha-hamper talaga, nagkakaroon talaga ng learning disruption," Poa said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We have given our position that schools should no longer be used as evacuation centers because some people unavoidably stay in schools for a long time and it really hampers the classes and results in learning disruption.)

"Kahit 'yung mga learners na hindi naman gaano naapektuhan ng calamity, hindi pa rin makabalik dahil ang school ay ginagamit as evacuation center," he added.

(Even learners who were not severely affected by calamities are unable to return to classes because the school is being used as an evacuation center.)

Based on the revised DepEd Order 37, signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, schools may be used as an immediate evacuation site in case of disasters, but not for more than 15 days.

Cancellation of classes

Meanwhile, classes from kindergarten to Grade 12, and work in public schools are automatically canceled in areas where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals 1, 2 ,3, 4, or 5 are raised by state weather bureau PAGASA.

In preparation for the upcoming La Niña phenomenon, Poa said that the DepEd will continue implementing alternative delivery modes in case face-to-face classes need to be suspended.

He said that state-run schools are also being repaired in preparation for the rainy season.

"Tuloy-tuloy ang ating mga repair at rehabilitation ng mga classrooms, albeit meron talaga tayo budgetary restrictions diyan pero ginagawa natin lahat. We are working around the budget we have," Poa said.

(Our repairs and rehabilitation of classrooms are continuing. Although we have budgetary restrictions, we are doing everything.)

ISRS Project

Last Wednesday, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved the P30.56-billion Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) Project to rehabilitate and reconstruct school facilities outside Metro Manila which were damaged by calamities from 2019 to 2023.

DepEd had said that this ISRS Project, which will be implemented from 2025 to 2029, is a "critical part" of the MATATAG agenda of Duterte.

The project is expected to benefit 4,756 school buildings, 13,101 classrooms, and around 741,038 learners in 1,282 target school beneficiaries. — VDV, GMA Integrated News