EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones recently met key partners to discuss disaster updates and interventions of the Department of Education.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service Director Ronilda Co presented actions and interventions taken by the central office, such as the activation of the central office DRRM team and rapid assessment of damage on infrastructure and other assets.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga external partners na nandito, na dumalo sa meeting na ito. The support you have been giving to the Department, in these times na may mga bagyo, for learning continuity is very important to us,” Briones said.

During the meeting, field offices were reminded to closely coordinate with concerned agencies.

During calamities, the Central Office disseminates advisories from the weather bureau to affected regions.

Regional directors in areas affected by typhoons reported on the damage on school buildings, self-learning modules, and copying machines. They also gave reports on non-teaching personnel and learners who were directly affected by the typhoons.

Representatives from World Vision, PLDT-SMART Foundation, Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, China Bank Savings, Aboitiz, City Savings Bank, Metrobank Foundation, Fundacion Educacion Y Cooperacion – EDUCO, Knowledge Channel Foundation, UNILAB, Security Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Colgate-Palmolive, REBISCO, Nestle Philippines, Mariwasa, and GAKKEN Philippines, among others, attended the meeting.

The department urged individuals and its partners to donate goods and other items instead of cash.