QuestionsQuestions (DepEd Order No. 21, s. 2015)
It is pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010), DepEd Order No. 50, s. 2011 (creation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office—DRRMO), and it also references DepEd Order No. 43, s. 2012 which implements Executive Order No. 66, s. 2012.
To provide guidance to regions and schools divisions (including DRRM coordinators) on how to act before, during, and after disasters; capacitate DRRMO coordinators and other DepEd constituents for disasters and emergencies; and facilitate immediate and efficient information flow during disasters and emergencies.
In summary: (1) Disaster is a natural or man-made emergency beyond community capacity causing severe danger and losses/disruption; (2) Hazard is a phenomenon with potential to cause disruption/damage; (3) Risk is expected losses/disruption resulting from hazards and elements at risk; (4) Risk Assessment/Analysis is methodology to determine nature/extent of risk via hazards and vulnerability; (5) Capacity is quantitative assessment of available resources; (6) Emergency is a situation threatening life/well-being unless immediate exceptional response is taken.
Schools are the primary source of data because they are DepEd’s frontline service provider to learners, the primary stakeholders.
Schools must: ensure an Early Warning System; conduct annual student-led risk identification and mapping; coordinate with the local DRRM Council; provide DRRM capacity building; maintain/disseminate emergency hotlines; post safety measures and evacuation plans; conduct quarterly multi-hazard drills; maintain vital records and learning materials; organize a school DRRM team; ensure updated baseline education data; integrate DRRM into regular programs and the SIP; pre-identify Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) and alternative delivery modes; monitor effects of hazards and track personnel; and prepare and submit reports on effects of hazards.
Schools must conduct rapid assessment of damages after every hazard and submit a Rapid Assessment of Damages Report (RADaR) within 72 hours via SMS.
SDOs must ensure all schools and the SDO have Early Warning Systems; spearhead annual student-led risk mapping; coordinate with local DRRM Council; monitor safe site selection and construction of new buildings; provide DRRM capacity building; pre-identify TLS and alternative modes; maintain/disseminate emergency hotlines; disseminate disaster preparedness measures including multi-hazard drills; and organize the SDO DRRM team.
The SDO activates the EOC depending on the scale of disaster/emergency; the RO activates and leads the EOC depending on the scale as well; the CO may intervene when impact is beyond the corresponding office’s capacity and/or when it sees fit.
When two (2) or more schools are affected.
When two (2) or more divisions are affected.
When two (2) or more regions are affected. The CO may also intervene in cases where impact is beyond the capacity of the corresponding office and/or when it sees fit (e.g., direct threat to life).
They must acknowledge receipt of advisories/reminders from the SDS/SDO DRRM coordinator; collaborate with the local DRRM Council and partners; ensure emergency hotlines are maintained/updated/posted; communicate notable results of risk assessment to the SDO; submit situation reports and real-time updates to the SDO; and coordinate with evacuation center demobilization updates to the SDO.
The SDO DRRM coordinator must verify school RADaRs in the online consolidation link (tinyurl.com/DepEd-RADaR) submitted to DepEd Central Office DRRMO.
The RO DRRM coordinator must regularly update the Regional Director on suspension and resumption of classes in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) before/during/after hazards, or whenever applicable.
All local DepEd key officials must report their status to ensure their safety and maintain local leadership. This is crucial in rapid onset hazards (e.g., earthquake/tornado), while for slow onset hazards (e.g., typhoon/volcanic eruption), they must report whereabouts for the next 2–3 days or the person in charge if outside the AOR, including the date of return.
They must submit the effects using the RADaR template via SMS within 72 hours after any hazard or emergency.
They must submit a certification of no damages and no schools used as evacuation centers, after contacting ALL schools and verifying there are no reported damaged classrooms/furniture/learning materials/computers, no casualties among school personnel, and no school used as evacuation center.
After RADaR submissions, classroom and school furniture damages are endorsed to the Physical Facilities and Schools Engineering Division (PFSED) for detailed assessment and program of work/fund allocation; textbook damages are forwarded to the Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS) for rough estimates, while schools must also prepare detailed listings of damaged textbooks; damaged computers are prepared by schools to facilitate validation by DepEd Technical Service.