The Department of Education assured local government units nationwide Monday that public schools remain open for use as evacuation centers during tropical cyclones.
“While schools by law are of last resort as evacuation places, as in past we do not prohibit their use in times of disasters,” said DepEd Undersecretary Atty. Nepomucena Malaluan, also chief of staff of the Office of the Secretary.
“The priority now is the safety of all, and local chief executives lead the efforts as chair of local DRRMCs (Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council),” he said.
Malaluan said it will be up to local DRRMCs to decide whether there is a need to tap public schools as shelters.
“Evacuations are through local DRRMCs, in which DepEd has local representation,” he said.