Phivolcs to help DepEd make class suspensions more science-based
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education is working closely with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) after back-to-back earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental showed the need for data-driven decisions on suspending face-to-face classes.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move to partner with state seismologists seeks to balance student safety with the goal of maintaining learning continuity during disasters, while making sure decisions are not driven by mere "fear."
DepEd, according to its statement Tuesday, October 14, is coordinating with Phivolcs to make class suspension decisions more grounded in "scientific data, localized risk assessments, and safety standards."
“Sa usapin ng kalamidad, bukod sa maagap, dapat eksakto rin ang kilos. Kaya mahalaga ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa PHIVOLCS para ang bawat desisyon… ay nakabatay sa siyensya at hindi sa pangamba,” Angara said in a DepEd statement.
(In the case of disasters, besides being prompt, action must also be precise. That is why it is important to coordinate with PHIVOLCS so that every decision… is based on science and not on fear.)
DepEd said it is working with Phivolcs, led by Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., to identify and strengthen schools located near fault lines. These facilities, Angara said, should be “over-engineered” to better withstand strong earthquakes.
There are also discussions now of setting up a "DepEd Command Center" that would serve as a monitoring hub for early warnings and disaster response.
Training programs are also being developed for regional and field offices to assess school building integrity and manage on-the-ground response actions, DepEd said.
Personnel at DepEd can be "trained to use checklist-based procedures that trigger automatic alerts once certain safety conditions are met—ensuring faster and more coordinated responses during emergencies," the department said.
Both DepEd and Phivolcs are also looking to coordinate on "science-based advisories and information materials" to prevent the spread of misinformation during crises.
A magnitude 6.9 quake in Cebu on September 30 and a 7.4-magnitude quake off Davao Oriental on October 10 have prompted renewed attention on the structural integrity of school buildings, among other public works.
DepEd - National Capital Region suspended in-person classes today and yesterday due to a rise in the number of students with influenza-like symptoms and to conduct structural integrity checks on buildings.
According to an October 13 report from the DepEd's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, 1,140 schools across eight regions were damaged by the recent earthquakes, affecting 7,575 classrooms.
Of these, 1,297 classrooms were completely destroyed, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage, with repair and reconstruction costs estimated at P4 billion.
The Davao Region was the worst hit, recording 764 damaged schools and more than 5,300 classrooms destroyed.
Affected schools have been instructed to shift to modular distance learning while DepEd works with local governments to put up temporary learning spaces.
DepEd earlier announced that structural engineers from Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office have been "on the ground" since October 11 to conduct building integrity tests.
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