In connection with the recent earthquakes that cause disaster anytime and in certain areas that are hit by them, DepEd, in cooperation with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) together with the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) gathered together on a workshop that discussed about earthquake preparedness. The meeting highlighted the importance of safety for learners in schools and their preparedness. DepEd has urged that family engage themselves in disaster preparedness.
Schools have conducted family earthquake preparedness in compliance with DepEd’s DO 27, s. 2015. The activities consisted of the students responding to a homework that involves a series of questions that aims to highlight their family and their level of preparedness when earthquakes and other disasters come. All teacher-advisers are expected to discuss the results and conduct activities that are appropriate for the respective communities. School principals should discuss the summary of the results with the parents-teachers associations and the barangay officials to plan on activities and implement them to better prepare for coming earthquakes.
Other local government units such as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have also helped prepare the July 30 earthquake drill in Metro Manila. The agency has coordinated with DepEd and the agency has issued the memorandum requiring teachers and students to participate in that earthquake drill.
PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum, Jr. has explained the importance of anticipating the different hazards that can happen to everyone anywhere and to imagine the environment after an earthquake happens.
DepEd has also met with the public school principals in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other provinces nearby NCR that are affected by the Valley Fault System to ensure that disaster preparedness will be complied with.
It is important that every school share its best practices for school safety. Miriam College has implemented their “Think Safe” program as a way to address the various natural and human-induced potential risks in their own school.
DepEd encourages schools and families to participate in the agency’s efforts to increase awareness by spreading the right information and by acting proactively and appropriately. It is not only for earthquakes that everybody should be prepared for but also for other risks as well.
Almost 200 participants from various private schools have attended the joint workshop that was conducted for earthquake preparedness. It is hoped that everybody becomes more informed and more ready to face disasters that might come anytime.
By: Catherine P. Jarabe | T-III | Antonio G. Liamas Elementary school
