Angara: Utilize new hazard assessment tool to manage class disruptions

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education (DepEd) told school administrators on Wednesday to use its new hazard assessment tool to prevent class disruptions caused by natural disasters.

“We are calling all school leaders, teachers and (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) coordinators to use LIGTAS+ as part of our regular disaster preparedness,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement on Wednesday.

Launched on Aug. 26, Project LIGTAS+, or the Learning Institution Geohazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety, is a decision-support platform that converts raw weather and geological data into school-level safety alerts. 

READ: DepEd launches AI-powered platform for school disaster preparedness

Angara emphasized the need to shift from reactive disaster response, stating that the project would allow schools to gauge risks early and respond before disruptions worsen. 

“Hindi pwedeng lagi na lang tayong nag-aabang kung kailan babagyo o lilindol bago tayo kumilos,” said Angara.

(“We can’t always just wait when a storm or earthquake will happen before we take action.”) 

With LIGTAS+, we can anticipate risks early so our school leaders can make timely, informed decisions before hazards turn into emergencies,” Angara added, stating that disaster preparedness requires clear and reliable information.

The platform streamlined data across all DepEd administrative levels, enabling school heads, teachers, and disaster response coordinators to securely log in using their official credentials.

Its AI-powered interactive map identifies risks from storms, heat, and volcanic activity near more than 47,000 public schools nationwide.

It also collated weather, satellite and geographical data from key government scientific agencies the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Climate data was also gathered fom international scientific agencies U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the European Union’s Copernicus satellite data collection.

However, DepEd clarified that the project only serves as a decision-support tool and is not meant to replace official advisories, established protocols, and field assessments. 

Angara said that using these new technologies alongside their partner agencies would help schools prepare for disasters swiftly.

“Through LIGTAS+, we are giving our school leaders the right tools and information to act early, keep our learners safe, and ensure that learning continues even during disasters,” he said. —With report from Sheridan Delfino /mr