DepEd Intensifies Recovery Efforts for Disaster-Hit Schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) is stepping up its efforts to help the recovery of schools affected by Typhoon Inday, the enhanced southwest monsoon, and the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano. According to a DepEd statement on Monday, this is in line with its Education in Emergencies (EiE) Policy to ensure the safety of students and the continuity of education during disasters. “Under our Education in Emergencies policy, every school is expected to be ready to protect learners while ensuring that learning continues safely,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said. “As we help communities recover from Typhoon Inday, we are also strengthening preparedness in areas affected by Kanlaon so our schools can respond quickly, adapt effectively, and continue serving our learners,” he added. According to Angara, DepEd is implementing a whole-of-system approach to ensure schools remain operational, resilient, and prepared even before disaster strikes. This means DepEd has shifted from emergency response to early recovery operations, with school disaster risk reduction and management teams and schools division offices working together to make rapid damage assessments, conduct cleanup and clearing operations, and prepare interventions to restore school safety. Last July 10, the DepEd issued its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) Situation Report, which identified damage to 81 classrooms in six regions, of which 43 had minor damage, 20 had major damage, and 18 had totally damaged classrooms. The report pointed out that these were subject to further validation by engineering teams. At the height of Typhoon Inday and the southwest monsoon, schools in 11 regions were affected, prompting local implementation of Flexible Learning Options and other continuity measures in accordance with DepEd’s Education in Emergencies policy. Meanwhile, DepEd remains on heightened alert in Negros Island Region following the continued volcanic unrest of Kanlaon. According to the latest bulletin issued on July 13 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Alert Level 2 remains in effect at Kanlaon, where eight volcanic earthquakes were monitored over the past 24 hours. Phivolcs also continues to enforce the four-kilometer permanent danger zone and has warned of possible steam-driven or phreatic explosions and other sudden volcanic hazards. DepEd’s Education in Emergencies Policy, institutionalized through DepEd Order No. 014, s. 2026, provides the framework for maintaining access to quality education before, during, and after emergencies. The policy institutionalizes Flexible Learning Options, continuity planning, psychosocial support, school safety measures, learning resource mobilization, and coordinated disaster response across all governance levels to minimize disruptions to learning. In line with the policy, Schools Division Offices have been directed to do the following: DepEd said it would continue working closely with the Office of Civil Defense, local government units, Phivolcs, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geological and Astronomical Services Administration to ensure timely decision-making and coordinated response as communities recover from Typhoon Inday and remain vigilant against the continuing activity of Kanlaon Volcano. “The lessons from every emergency strengthen our resolve to build a more resilient education system. Our commitment is to ensure that every Filipino learner has a safe school, uninterrupted learning, and the support they need, no matter the challenges they face,” Angara said.