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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Game-changer': DepEd welcomes passage of law requiring evacuation centers in every LGU

'Game-changer': DepEd welcomes passage of law requiring evacuation centers in every LGU

Published Dec 6, 2024 07:30 am

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, Dec. 6, welcomed the newly enacted law requiring the establishment of dedicated evacuation centers in every city and municipality nationwide.

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A public school being used as an evacuation center (NOEL PABALATE / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE)

“This legislation is a game-changer, not only for our disaster response but also for public education,” said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement.

“It addresses a long-standing issue of public schools being used as evacuation centers,” he said. “With this law, we can ensure that learning recovery can immediately take place after disasters,” he added.

Ligtas Pinoy Centers

DepEd also lauded President Marcos and lawmakers following the enactment of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act.

The Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act (Republic Act No. 12076) aims to reduce reliance on public school facilities by creating evacuation centers specifically designed to cater to the needs of displaced individuals during typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and other emergencies.

Currently, DepEd permits public schools to be used as evacuation centers, with a limit of 15 days on the use of school facilities to minimize disruptions to education.

DepEd has also directed that classrooms be utilized by local government units (LGUs) only as a “last resort.”

The law mandates that evacuation centers be strategically located at safe distances from hazard zones, based on geohazard maps provided by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

These structures will be built to stringent standards, including the ability to withstand wind speeds of up to 300 kph and seismic activity of up to a magnitude of 8.0.

Each center must be well-ventilated and equipped with essential facilities, including sleeping quarters, separate shower areas, kitchens, healthcare spaces, and recreational zones.

These features are designed to ensure not only the safety but also the dignity and well-being of evacuees.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will act as the lead implementing agency, collaborating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to ensure the smooth execution of the program.

Related Tags

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara DEPED President Marcos EVACUATIONCENTERS Evacuation
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