Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Teachers urge gov't to fast-track construction of evacuation centers to avoid class disruptions
Philippines
Teachers urge gov't to fast-track construction of evacuation centers to avoid class disruptions
Teachers urge gov't to fast-track construction of evacuation centers to avoid class disruptions
Published Jan 23, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
A group of teachers on Thursday urged both the national and local governments to fast-track the construction of dedicated evacuated centers (ECs) in their respective areas to help ensure that classes are not further disrupted during natural disasters and calamities.
TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas
(Teachers' Dignity Coalition / MANILA BULLETIN/ FILE) The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a 30,000-strong group of teachers and other education workers, made the appeal as the number of schools that are being used as ECs amid Taal’s unrest continues to increase. “We hope that the national government will fast-track the construction of multi-purpose halls or dedicated evacuation centers in every province so that there would be no disruption of education service in times of calamity,” said TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas. “We agree that schools should not be used as evacuation centers,” said Basas. “Pero nasa ganitong sitwasyon na po tayo ngayon, wala namang ibang alternative ang ating mga kababayan (But we are already facing this situation right now and our fellowmen do not have any other alternative],” he added. Based on its Education Cluster Report as of January 23, DepEd data showed that there are 319 schools in eight (8) divisions under Region IV-A that are still being used as ECs. The divisions - wherein schools are used as ECs - include Batangas, Batangas City, Calamba City, Cavite, Gen. Trias City, Laguna, Lipa City, and Tanauan City. The DepEd said that 2, 939 classrooms in these schools are being used as temporary shelters of 22, 121 families or 79, 412 individuals. A total of 11, 005 of the evacuees in these ECs are learners. Basas noted that while it is lamentable that schools are being used as ECs, these structures are the most accessible and convenient alternative for disaster-affected families. “Sa schools kasi ay may relative convenience na ang mga evacuees - may bubong, may rooms, may palikuran, at higit sa lahat, may mga guro na handang tumulong sa mga nasalanta (In our schools, it is relatively convenient because there are roofs, rooms, comfort rooms, and most of all, there are teachers who help the victims of the disaster),” he added. The TDC also commended the heroism of teachers who carry on with their duties despite being affected by the Taal crisis themselves. “We commend the heroism of our teachers in the schools that served as evacuation centers, they work almost 24/7 to ensure that their ‘visitors’ are in good condition,” Basas said. DepEd noted that 20, 676 of its personnel are currently being affected by the Taal crisis. The DepEd had earlier urged policymakers to build multi-purpose halls in order to avoid class interruptions during disasters. DepEd data showed that the number of schools that are being used as ECs continue to increase amid Taal’s unrest. In Batangas, 244 schools and 2,227 classrooms are used as temporary homes of 16, 479 families or 54, 434 individuals, 7, 440 of which are learners. In Batangas City, 15 schools and 241 classrooms are currently being used by 1, 450 families or 6, 408 individuals, 432 of which are learners. In Cavite, 31 schools and 118 classrooms are used by 1, 659 families or 6,927 individuals, 915 of which are learners while in Gen. Trias City, two schools and 11 classrooms serve as temporary shelters to 24 families or 117 individuals, 46 of which are learners. In Laguna, a total of seven schools and 66 classrooms cater to 65 families or 175 individuals, 337 of which are learners. In Lipa City, six schools and 18 classrooms are being used as evacuation centers of 459 families or 1, 735 individuals, three of which are learners. In Tanauan City, 12 schools and 258 classrooms cater to 1,873 families or 5, 618 individuals, 1,792 of which are learners. DepEd’s latest data also showed that 594, 228 learners in 1,079 schools remain affected by the Taal’s volcanic eruption in eight divisions under Region IV-A. While classes in other affected areas have already resumed early this week, classes in five divisions remain suspended. The suspension of classes at all levels in five DepEd divisions in Region IV-A are affecting 574, 717 learners in 1,054 schools. The TDC expressed hope that Taal’s condition will stabilize soon. “Nakikiisa kami sa pananalangin at pag-asa na sana ay matapos na ito upang makabalik na sa normal na pamumuhay ang mga tao, lalo na ang mga mag-aaral sa mga nasalantang lugar gayundin ang mga mag-aaral sa mga paaralang tinuluyan nila (We are one in prayers and in hope that this will end soon so that the people in affected areas, especially the learners, can go back to their normal lives),” Basas ended.
TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas(Teachers' Dignity Coalition / MANILA BULLETIN/ FILE) The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a 30,000-strong group of teachers and other education workers, made the appeal as the number of schools that are being used as ECs amid Taal’s unrest continues to increase. “We hope that the national government will fast-track the construction of multi-purpose halls or dedicated evacuation centers in every province so that there would be no disruption of education service in times of calamity,” said TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas. “We agree that schools should not be used as evacuation centers,” said Basas. “Pero nasa ganitong sitwasyon na po tayo ngayon, wala namang ibang alternative ang ating mga kababayan (But we are already facing this situation right now and our fellowmen do not have any other alternative],” he added. Based on its Education Cluster Report as of January 23, DepEd data showed that there are 319 schools in eight (8) divisions under Region IV-A that are still being used as ECs. The divisions - wherein schools are used as ECs - include Batangas, Batangas City, Calamba City, Cavite, Gen. Trias City, Laguna, Lipa City, and Tanauan City. The DepEd said that 2, 939 classrooms in these schools are being used as temporary shelters of 22, 121 families or 79, 412 individuals. A total of 11, 005 of the evacuees in these ECs are learners. Basas noted that while it is lamentable that schools are being used as ECs, these structures are the most accessible and convenient alternative for disaster-affected families. “Sa schools kasi ay may relative convenience na ang mga evacuees - may bubong, may rooms, may palikuran, at higit sa lahat, may mga guro na handang tumulong sa mga nasalanta (In our schools, it is relatively convenient because there are roofs, rooms, comfort rooms, and most of all, there are teachers who help the victims of the disaster),” he added. The TDC also commended the heroism of teachers who carry on with their duties despite being affected by the Taal crisis themselves. “We commend the heroism of our teachers in the schools that served as evacuation centers, they work almost 24/7 to ensure that their ‘visitors’ are in good condition,” Basas said. DepEd noted that 20, 676 of its personnel are currently being affected by the Taal crisis. The DepEd had earlier urged policymakers to build multi-purpose halls in order to avoid class interruptions during disasters. DepEd data showed that the number of schools that are being used as ECs continue to increase amid Taal’s unrest. In Batangas, 244 schools and 2,227 classrooms are used as temporary homes of 16, 479 families or 54, 434 individuals, 7, 440 of which are learners. In Batangas City, 15 schools and 241 classrooms are currently being used by 1, 450 families or 6, 408 individuals, 432 of which are learners. In Cavite, 31 schools and 118 classrooms are used by 1, 659 families or 6,927 individuals, 915 of which are learners while in Gen. Trias City, two schools and 11 classrooms serve as temporary shelters to 24 families or 117 individuals, 46 of which are learners. In Laguna, a total of seven schools and 66 classrooms cater to 65 families or 175 individuals, 337 of which are learners. In Lipa City, six schools and 18 classrooms are being used as evacuation centers of 459 families or 1, 735 individuals, three of which are learners. In Tanauan City, 12 schools and 258 classrooms cater to 1,873 families or 5, 618 individuals, 1,792 of which are learners. DepEd’s latest data also showed that 594, 228 learners in 1,079 schools remain affected by the Taal’s volcanic eruption in eight divisions under Region IV-A. While classes in other affected areas have already resumed early this week, classes in five divisions remain suspended. The suspension of classes at all levels in five DepEd divisions in Region IV-A are affecting 574, 717 learners in 1,054 schools. The TDC expressed hope that Taal’s condition will stabilize soon. “Nakikiisa kami sa pananalangin at pag-asa na sana ay matapos na ito upang makabalik na sa normal na pamumuhay ang mga tao, lalo na ang mga mag-aaral sa mga nasalantang lugar gayundin ang mga mag-aaral sa mga paaralang tinuluyan nila (We are one in prayers and in hope that this will end soon so that the people in affected areas, especially the learners, can go back to their normal lives),” Basas ended.