THE DEPARTMENT of Education has praised the signing of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, a law mandating the establishment of evacuation centers in every city nationwide.

“This legislation is a game-changer not only for our disaster response but also for public education. It addresses the long-standing issue of public schools being used as evacuation centers. With this law, we can ensure that learning recovery can immediately take place after disasters,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

Republic Act No. 12076, also known as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, aims to reduce the reliance on public school facilities by creating evacuation centers specifically designed to cater to displaced individuals during typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and other emergencies.

While DepEd currently allows the use of public schools as temporary shelters, the practice is limited to a maximum of 15 days to minimize disruptions to education. DepEd has also directed that classrooms should only be used as a last resort by local government units.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of these climate-resilient facilities, stating that “investing in such infrastructure must be the norm, as it not only protects lives but also strengthens local government units’ capacity to respond to, reduce, and manage disaster risks.”