Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
In recent years, the Philippines has taken measures to create legally binding frameworks and legislation to improve its disaster management capacity, including how to address disaster risks and respond comprehensively. The 2010 Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (DRRM Act) or Republic Act 10121 represents a clear legislative shift. It approached disaster response from a much broader perspective, including areas around prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Several frameworks and policies were implemented in 2015 to further DRR in education. The Department of Education (DepEd) adopted the Comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education to guide the implementation of comprehensive school safety at all levels. They issued a policy (DM 276 s. 2010) that ordered the integration of CCA and DRR with environmental education in elementary and high school curriculums. In 2010, DepEd’s competency-based approach method was used to ensure that DRRM and CCA were incorporated into the curriculum. It integrated DRR topics and concepts in existing subjects rather than creating a new subject.
As a member of the National DRRM Council (NDRRMC), DepEd has committed to implement the framework within the following thematic areas: Prevention and Mitigation; Preparedness; Response; and Recovery and Rehabilitation. DepEd has also established the Development and Implementation of a Comprehensive DRRM in the Basic Education framework – showcasing the interrelationship between the global and national frameworks in strengthening the implementation of DRRM in basic education.
Disaster risk reduction in the education sector aims to protect children and recognize their right to education in the face of frequent disasters. Educational continuity and school safety require the continual participation of all school stakeholders in the formulation of action plans for disaster management, risk assessment documents, and school preparedness SOPs.
