Use of Mambaling school as evacuation center okayed

CEBU, Philippines —  Department of Education (DepEd) in Central Visayas Director Salustiano Jimenez said the use of Alaska Elementary School as an evacuation center for Mambaling fire victims got approval from top education officials.

He said DepEd wanted to be of help to the victims and the local government unit even if public schools are only supposed to be the last resort when designating areas as evacuation shelters under the Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act.

Jimenez admitted receiving a call from Education Secretary Leonor Briones regarding the use of one of the public schools in Mambaling. This after Briones was called up by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año following Mayor Michael Rama’s request to use the school as an evacuation site.

“Sec. Briones called me about it and I immediately told the superintendent (of Cebu City) na i-allow ang mga tawo na nasunugan na mogamit. Ang regional director man na ang tagaan og authority sa secretary to decide,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez said there was a delay in accommodating the fire victims at the Alaska Elementary School as some of the rooms were locked.

Aside from that, there were also other things being secured first as the said school was supposed to be due for validation for school-based management.

“Although their concern is primarily the learners and supposedly last resort gyud ang school...kami sa DepEd, in respect sa LGU being our partner, we also assist the LGUs...kung naa silay panginahangalanon. That’s why we allowed the use of the facility,” he said. — KQD (FREEMAN)