Check schools’ safety

MANILA, Philippines—Often used as evacuation centers during calamities, schools and universities must be evaluated for their own vulnerabilities and must put in place emergency preparedness plans, according to a bill filed by party-list lawmakers.

The bill by Ako Bicol Representatives Rodel Batocabe and Christopher Co also states that parents must be made aware of the risks their children face while in school.

“Through the years, we have opened public schools in disaster-prone areas to serve as the refuge of evacuees. However, we have also seen our own schools succumb to disaster,” the lawmakers said.—Leila B. Salaverria