Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to convert and construct school buildings that are resistant to disasters and calamities.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Considering the Philippines’ exposure to natural calamities and other hazards all year round, Gatchalian said it is imperative to have typhoon-resistant school buildings.
The Senate Basic Education, Arts, and Culture Committee chief noted that while they are not built to serve as evacuation centers, schools are normally utilized in the country as such during calamities.
“Sa ating pagkukumpuni o pagpapatayo ng mga bagong gusali sa mga paaralan, kailangan siguraduhin nating ang disenyo ng mga ito ay kayang makaiwas sa pinsalang maaring dulot ng mga kalamidad (As we fix or construct new school buildings, let’s make sure that their design can withstand any damage brought about by calamities),” Gatchalian said.
The senator said having typhoon-resistant school buildings would be a long-term investment on the safety of schools, which sometimes serve as evacuation centers.
Gatchalian had earlier filed Senate Bill No. 747, or the proposed Evacuation Act, which seeks to establish permanent evacuation centers in every city and municipality.
The bill also proposed to ease the pressure on classrooms of schools already being utilized as evacuation centers, and seeks the construction of additional facilities in these schools as an option.
Under the proposed measure, the design of new evacuation centers and improved facilities should be able to withstand wind speeds of 320 kilometers per hour or 200 miles per hour and moderate seismic activity of at least magnitude-7.2.
These structures are also required to use materials in accordance with the law or the National Building Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 6541).
“Ang pagkakaroon ng matitibay ng mga paaralan ay mahalaga hindi lamang para sa agarang pagpapatuloy ng edukasyon (having strong school buildings is important not only for the immediate continuation of education),” he said.
“Dahil ang mga paaralan natin ay madalas nagsisilbi ring mga evacuation centers, kailangan siguruhin natin ang kaligtasan ng mga ito sakaling sumilong dito ang mga residente sa tuwing may kalamidad (Because schools usually serve as evacuation centers, we need to make sure that these structures are structurally sound to ensure the safety of those who wish to use this as temporary refuge during calamities),” the lawmaker stressed.
Gatchalian said the roofs for these school buildings should be replaced with concrete roof decks to spare the government from the cost of replacing damaged roofs every time a typhoon hits.