DepEd to schools: Use AI tool for disaster preparedness

Lahar inundates Sta. Fe National High School in San Marcelino, Zambales yesterday.

Noel Pabalete

MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has ordered public school administrators, teachers and disaster response coordinators nationwide to integrate LIGTAS+ into their disaster preparedness routines as hundreds of schools remain affected by flooding and other disasters.

According to Angara, LIGTAS+ or the Learning Institution Geohazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety would allow school leaders to identify risks earlier and make timely decisions before hazards disrupt classes and other school operations.

“We can’t just wait for a storm or earthquake to strike before we act. With LIGTAS+, we can anticipate risks early so our school leaders can make timely, informed decisions before hazards turn into emergencies. What we need is clear and reliable information for earlier preparation,” he said.

Developed by DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service and the Education Center for AI Research, LIGTAS+ combines artificial intelligence, weather forecasts, satellite radar imagery and data from government and international scientific agencies to provide school-level hazard alerts.

In a separate event, Angara accompanied President Marcos in inspecting flood-affected schools in Tarlac, Zambales and Pampanga, where the combined impact of the southwest monsoon and recent tropical cyclones damaged at least 622 schools and 4,025 classrooms.

Of the damaged classrooms, 946 were destroyed, 806 sustained major damage and 2,274 suffered minor damage.

The DepEd estimated that P2.9 billion would be needed for response and recovery efforts in Central Luzon.