DepEd bolsters disaster readiness with digital tools post-quake

The Department of Education (DepEd) is enhancing its disaster preparedness and response systems with new digital tools and resources following a recent earthquake.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the focus on preparedness, stating, "Sa utos na rin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ang pokus natin ay kahandaan."

He further added, "Kailangan nating masiguro na makakaresponde ang ating mga paaralan na protektahan ang mga mag-aaral at maipagpatuloy ang edukasyon bago, habang, at matapos ang anumang sakuna."

DepEd is shifting its focus from immediate relief to long-term preparedness in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Damage to schools across the province is projected to exceed PHP 1 billion, affecting over 50,000 learners and 1,400 teaching and non-teaching personnel.

A key initiative is PlanSmart for Safe Schools, a web-based contingency planning application developed in collaboration with DOST-Phivolcs and the World Bank.

This platform utilizes hazard and risk data from the GeoRiskPH system to help schools create evidence-based contingency plans.