The Department of Education (DepEd) hailed the signing into law of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of dedicated evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities across the country.
Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, will eliminate the reliance on public schools during calamities by providing dedicated evacuation centers designed to meet the needs of displaced individuals during typhoons, floods, earthquakes and other emergencies.
Currently, the DepEd allows the use of public schools as evacuation centers. The use of the schools is capped at 15 days to minimize disruptions in education. The agency has issued a policy directive stating that classrooms should only be used by local government units as a last resort.
“This legislation is a game changer not only for our disaster response but also for public education. It addresses a longstanding issue of public schools being used as evacuation centers. With this law, we can ensure that learning recovery can immediately take place after disasters,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
Under the law, evacuation centers will be strategically located at safe distances from danger zones, based on geohazard maps provided by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Phivolcs and Pagasa.
The centers will adhere to stringent standards, including the ability to withstand wind speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and earthquakes up to magnitude-8.0.
Each center will be well-ventilated and equipped with essential facilities, including sleeping quarters, separate shower areas, kitchens, healthcare spaces and recreational areas. These features are designed to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of evacuees.