Michael CuetoThe Philippines’ Department of Education (DepEd) ordered all public schools to conduct surprise EARTHQUAKE FIRE DRILLS in order to RAISE AWARENESS among students and staff about what to do in the event of NATURAL DISASTERS.
DepEd Order No. 53 series of 2022, which was signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, mandates that all schools carry out surprise earthquake and fire drills. DepEd underlined that local drills and simulation exercises are “preventive measures” that familiarize evacuation routes and reinforce right the actions in the occurrence of a tragedy.
Aligned with its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its learners and school personnel, DepEd said that “all public schools are hereby required to conduct unannounced earthquake and fire drills every first and third week of every month.” This directive, the agency explained, is under Republic Act (RA) No. 10121 or The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 which promotes the development of capacities in disaster management at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels.
Additionally, DepEd gave instructions to School Heads to organize, carry out, and regularly check on these drills in their respective schools with the aid of School Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Coordinators. It also noted that private schools, community learning centers, as well as state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) may “choose to adopt the provisions” of this DO as a basis in the conduct of their earthquake and fire drills for the disaster preparedness of their students.
