PORMAL na inilunsad ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System (DRRMIS) noong Hulyo 6, 2022, ang epektibong information management and communication system na magpapalakas sa safety precautions ng lahat ng mga paaralan sa bansa.

Ang DRRMIS ay produkto ng Education Safe from Disasters (Comprehensive School Safety Ecosystems) Program sa pakikipagtulungan sa Save the Children Philippines and Prudence Foundation.

Ito ay naglalayong itransporma ang national systems, palakasin ang kapasidad at e-empower ang mga kabataan na mapababa ang bilang ng school days na masasayang dahil sa epekto ng hazardous events.

“DepEd is committed to the safety and protection of our learners, personnel, and schools. DRRMIS will help build a resilient education sector through timely and accurate data gathering and decision-making,” pahayag ni DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua.

Ang programa ay nag-develop ng tatlong aplikasyon para sa disaster preparedness and response bilang bahagi ng information system. Ang unang app ay ang Rapid Assessment of Damages Report (RADaR). Ang school-level reporting tool na ito ay maglalaan ng rapid information hinggil sa pinsala sa mga paaralan at mga pangangailangan sa loob ng 72 oras makaraan ang kalamidad. Ang departamento ay naglunsad ng RADaR app noong Setyembre 2020 at ito ay ginamit na sa ten hazardous incidents mula noon.

Samantala, ang School Watching Application (SWApp) ay student-led hazard mapping checklist na naglalayong itaas ang kaalaman ng mga mag-aaral sa mga panganib sa loob at sa paligid ng kanilang mga paaralan.

Habang ang Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) Monitoring Tool – ay device na gagamitin ng mga paaralan sa pag-asses ng kanilang compliance sa CSS Framework habang kanilang ipinatutupad ang safety initiatives. Ang app ay maglalaan sa mga paaralan at DepEd officials ng online resources and training upang higit na maunawaan ang applications and system.

Ang DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) at ang Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) ang nangasiwa sa proyekto na sinimulan sa 20 schools divisions ng Region 3 (Central Luzon). Ngayon ay nasa pangatlong taon na, ang DRRMIS ay handa na para sa nationwide roll-out in phases.

“We at Save the Children continue to work hard to ensure that children are kept safe and get the best start in life by capacitating them and building their resilience against disasters and emergencies,” pahayag ni Atty. Alberto Muyot, CEO ng Save the Children Philippines.

“The development of this innovative DRR information management system will help ensure quality, consistent, and timely data collection resulting in better plans and programs for children’s safety from all hazards,” dagdag ni Muyot.

“Supporting programs and initiatives that reinforce disaster resilience of Filipino families is an important advocacy of Pru Life UK. We are fortunate to contribute to making a difference in our communities through our community investment arm, Prudence Foundation,” bahagi naman ni Eng Teng Wong, Pru Life UK President and CEO. (ROWENA D. HUGO)