THE House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has approved a resolution urging the Department of Education to formulate and implement national guidelines on the emergency transfer of learners affected by natural and human-induced disasters in all basic education schools, school division offices, and regional offices nationwide.

The panel headed by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo agreed to endorse for plenary deliberations House Bill 1593 in substitution to House Bill 1059.

During the deliberations, Romulo said the DepEd should standardize the processes and protocols for the emergency transfer of learners.

Romulo cited data from the Department of Education Basic Education Information System from School Year 2009-2010 to SY 2017-2018 showed that 43,810 schools nationwide reported effects of natural hazards and 21,949 reported impacts of human-induced hazards, 10,883 of which were due to violent incidents, including armed conflict.

Data from the same period also showed that 17,937 schools were used as evacuation centers during hazards.

The lawmaker also stressed that hazards place learners, teachers, and staff at risk, as well as inflict damage on school resources such as school buildings, teaching materials, and school supplies, and force individuals and families to migrate to another place.