The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, October 9, announced the launch of a new digital planning web tool and school safety guidebook aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response in schools nationwide.

The initiative, rolled out after the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu, underscores DepEd’s commitment to ensuring learning continuity and protecting learners and personnel during emergencies.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the move aligns with the department’s commitment to readiness across all schools, following the directive of President Marcos.

“Sa utos na rin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, ang pokus natin ay kahandaan (By the directive of President Bongbong Marcos, our focus is preparedness),” Angara said.

“Kailangan nating masiguro na makakaresponde ang ating mga paaralan upang protektahan ang mga mag-aaral at maipagpatuloy ang edukasyon bago, habang, at matapos ang anumang sakuna (We must ensure that our schools can respond effectively to protect students and continue education before, during, and after any disaster),” he added.

DepEd said it has intensified its disaster preparedness and response efforts by launching new digital tools and safety programs aimed at strengthening the resilience of schools nationwide.

Among DepEd’s major initiatives is PlanSmart for Safe Schools, a web-based contingency planning application developed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST–Phivolcs) and the World Bank.

The digital platform integrates hazard and risk data from the GeoRiskPH system, enabling schools to develop evidence-based contingency plans aligned with the standards of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

A series of training sessions for PlanSmart will begin in November 2025, covering 3,012 schools in the Greater Metro Manila Area before its nationwide rollout. The program aims to build the capacity of school heads and DRRM coordinators in crafting effective disaster response and recovery plans.

DepEd also unveiled the M7X School Ready Program, an initiative focused on earthquake preparedness for public schools and DepEd offices. The program was developed in anticipation of a potential 7.2-magnitude earthquake along the West Valley Fault (WVF).

Through the initiative, schools can earn the M7.2 Ready School Seal by completing a comprehensive checklist on both structural safety and non-structural preparedness. The pilot phase will prioritize schools located near the WVF in Metro Manila, Region III, and Region IV-A.

To promote long-term resilience, DepEd also launched the Pillar 1: Safer Learning Facilities Guidebook, a comprehensive reference manual that advocates resilient design, safe site selection, and sustainable maintenance practices.

Developed in partnership with UNICEF and Good Neighbors International Philippines, the guidebook aligns with the Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) Framework and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, helping schools implement inclusive, climate-resilient, and child-safe construction standards.

In addition, DepEd rolled out Upgraded Temporary Learning Spaces (UTLS) — improved modular classrooms designed to ensure continuity of learning in disaster-affected areas while damaged school buildings undergo repair or reconstruction.

These initiatives were presented during the National DRRM x CCA Summit 2025 held in Makati City, themed “EduResilience 2025: Strengthening Learning Continuity and Climate Resilience in Basic Education.”

“Ang kahandaan ang pundasyon ng katatagan. Kapag may sapat na kagamitan, pagsasanay, at pasilidad ang ating mga paaralan, makakatiyak tayo na magpapatuloy ang pag-aaral kahit sa gitna ng sakuna (Preparedness is the foundation of resilience. When our schools have adequate equipment, training, and facilities, we can be assured that learning will continue even in the midst of a disaster),” Angara said.