The Department of Education (DepEd) teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in strengthening their partnership by addressing the need for preparedness in the event of a calamity, while ensuring continuous learning among students.

Secretary Sonny Angara met with Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Tuesday, October 14, to discuss pertinent issues following the recent calamities that affected the education sector.

Following his visit to earhquake–hit Cebu province and Davao Oriental, Angara said the extent of damages just proves the importance of having better coordination with DOST specifically with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). 

“Nang makita ko mismo ang pinsala ng lindol sa Cebu at Davao Oriental, mas napatunayan nating mahalaga ang tamang datos at koordinasyon. Sa tulong ng PHIVOLCS, masisiguro nating ang bawat hakbang ng DepEd ay mabilis, ligtas, at may batayang siyentipiko,” Angara said. 

To prevent misinformation and to keep the public’s trust, PHIVOLCS for its part will help to ensure the announcements and steps made by DepEd are science-based.

DepEd also expressed the need for partnership with PHIVOLCS to train their staff, and ensure the safety of buildings, especially those over the fault lines.

Sec. Solidum Jr. stated that the buildings over fault lines should be “over-engineered” or surpass the structural standard to withstand strong earthquakes. 

The two agencies ensure that while doing the safety inspection, alternative learning modalities will be implemented to keep the students learning amid the effects of disasters.