Deped to school execs: Be prepapred for disasters
November 1, 2013 | 1:18pm
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education on Friday called on school authorities to reiterate disaster preparedness measures to minimize risks and ensure learners’ continued access to education.
DepEd Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rizalino Rivera said that adequate preparedness can mitigate the effects of disasters on schools, personnel and learners.
"If we are prepared, we can collectively reduce the exposure of learners and school personnel to danger, the risks of schools suffering from damages, and the disruption to education," Rivera said.
The Philippines, situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, as well as typhoons, flooding and landslides.
Rivera added that disaster risk reduction in education must aim at addressing the underlying drivers of disasters such as lack of knowledge of teachers about risks, risk assessment and risk reduction, and lack of disaster preparedness.
"Our school personnel should be able to anticipate risks of natural and man-made hazards and ensure the safety of people and property before, during and after an emergency so that there is protection and safety of lives and minimal or no disruption in the delivery of education," Rivera said.
The DepEd also directed school authorities to ensure that school buildings and all DepEd facilities can withstand heavy rain and strong winds.
Also part of disaster response is that notebooks, teaching materials, school records and equipment such as fax machines, laptops, photocopiers, televisions, VCRs and science tools should be protected from rain and flood.
Schools are also required to study weather disturbances, their signs, warning systems and effects and regularly conduct disaster response drills.
School authorities must also strictly observe policies on class suspension in coordination with the local government units to avoid unnecessary exposure to danger during bad weather, the DepEd said.
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