The Department of Education (DepEd) maintained that it continues to monitor the schools and the learners in evacuation centers especially in the aftermath of this year’s strongest typhoon.
(Photo by Charism SAYAT / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
DepEd Undersecretary Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan explained that evacuations are through local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs), in which the agency has local representation.
“While schools by law are of last resort as evacuation places, as in past we do not prohibit their use in times of disasters,” Malaluan said. “The priority now is the safety of all, and local chief executives lead the efforts as chair of local DRRMCs,” he added.
As of November 3, DepEd data showed that there are 14,999 learners staying in 869 schools that currently serve as evacuation centers. DepEd said that there are 4, 367 classrooms being used as ECs by 21,000 families or 82, 584 individuals.
Meanwhile, a child rights group expressed concern on the health of children who are huddled in evacuation centers - noting that they are at risk from COVID-19.
Save the Children Philippines (SCP) fears the spread of COVID-19 while children are staying in ECs. “We call on the local government to urgently put in place proper health protocols to protect people sheltering in evacuation centers from life-threatening diseases including COVID-19,” said SCP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Atty. Alberto Muyot said.
Muyot, who is also a former DepEd Undersecretary, said that LGUs “must also ensure children and their families staying in evacuation centers are provided with hygiene essentials, nutritious food and clean water.”
He added that is also important that local officials “provide breast milk access to babies in case they are separated from their mothers, or mothers are unable to express breastmilk due to injury and psychosocial distress.”
Muyot noted that TS “Rolly’s” impact on the most vulnerable in Manila could be “horrendous” - citing concerns for 1.5 million families “forced to live in dangerous conditions along railroads tracks, garbage dumps and riverbanks.”
As soon it is safe to do so, Muyot said that the SCP will deploy aid workers to the worst affected parts of Luzon island. “They will quickly distribute basic life-saving hygiene kits and emergency supplies,” he ended.