DPWH to construct education/ evacuation type school bldg

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) suggested the construction of a dual-purpose school building that could be utilized both as classrooms and as an evacuation center in cases of calamities or emergencies.

DPWH Undersecretary for Mindanao Bashir Rasuman explained the need for the construction of a “Home for Education and Evacuation (HEE) type school building”, considering that the country is prone to calamities, the government and the people should take the necessary steps to address these situations.

Rasuman added that, “Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. wants us to be pro-active and not merely reactive in responding to natural and man-made calamities, the HEE building is our way of giving quick and practical relief to those affected by all forms of calamities.”

All the more that he sees the importance of building HEE type of school buildings in Mindanao. Not only would they be providing classrooms for students, they would also be able to accommodate people evacuating from conflict-prone areas or shelters in flooded areas.

The HEE project would be pilot tested in typhoon and flood prone areas such as Malabon, Navotas, San Mateo, Rizal; Albay; and other areas in Mindanao.

He suggested that the two-story, two-classroom HEE buildings be constructed slightly “elevated” from the ground. It should also be equipped with water and sanitation facilities such as adequate toilets, bath, washing areas, kitchen, and waste disposal areas.

When the buildings are not in use as shelters for emergencies, the HEE buildings could be used as home economic buildings, mess hall or school canteen.

“Disasters are first and foremost a ‘local’ phenomena. Schools are often used as emergency shelters in times of calamities. As such, our school buildings should be resilient to natural hazards,” the DPWH official said. — Evelyn Z. Macairan