Government agencies have gathered to ensure a smooth and peaceful school opening for more than 1.3 million learners in the Davao Region.

Representatives from different agencies met a few days before the school opening to map out plans for the “Oplan Balik Eskwela 2026.”

Based on data from the Department of Education-Davao (DepEd-11), a total of 2,706 basic education schools in the region served 1.317 million learners from Kindergarten to Grade 12, including those in the Alternative Learning System (ALS), in the previous school year.

This school year, the number of students across the region is expected to go up.

“We would like also to seek the support again of the local government unit in ensuring that assistance in the provision and securing of school sites are assisted, improve infrastructure and assist schools in upgrading DRRM safety mechanisms,” DepEd-11 Director, Allan Farnazo, said.

DepEd-11 requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to establish more accessible roads.

The Office of Civil Defense-11 (OCD-11)  reminded schools to be prepared for unforeseen events such as earthquakes and emphasized the importance of school-based drills.

“Dapat meron tayong evacuation plans not only in schools but in our homes,” Marvin Samson of OCD-11 said.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office-Davao (LTO-11) is also expecting that roads will again be busy with students commuting to and from schools.

LTO-11 said it will deploy personnel during rush hours and conduct inspections in terminals.

Commuters are reminded to ride only authorized public vehicles with franchises and avoid colorum ones.

“The Region 11 will intensify the operation for anti-colorum, motorcycle law and also bawal po bata sakay sa motorsiklo,” LTO-11 Law Enforcement Unit Head, Engr. Manuel Valenzona, said.