The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System (DRRMIS), an efficient information management and communication system that will improve the safety measures of all schools in the nation, was formally launched by the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines.
“DepEd is committed to the safety and protection of our learners, personnel, and schools. DRRMIS will help build a resilient education sector through timely and accurate data gathering and decision-making,” says Alain Del Pascua, DepEd Undersecretary for Administration.
The Education Safe from Disasters (Comprehensive School Safety Ecosystems) Programme, which was developed in collaboration with non-government organisations was the source of DRRMIS. To decrease the number of school days those students missed because of the effects of hazardous occurrences, it seeks to alter national systems, develop capability, and empower children. As part of the information system, the programme created three applications for disaster preparedness and response. These are the RADaR, SWApp and CSS.
The Rapid Assessment of Damages Report is the first app (RADaR). In the first 72 hours following a disaster, this school-level reporting tool quickly delivers information on the needs and damage of schools. Since the Department’s September 2020 launch of the RADaR app, eleven hazardous occurrences have included it. A student-led hazard mapping checklist called School Watching Application (SWApp) aims to increase students’ awareness of risks in and around their schools.
Finally, schools can evaluate their compliance with the CSS Framework as they implement safety programmes using the Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) Monitoring Tool. The app offered online training and materials for DepEd officials and schools to better grasp the applications and system.
The initiative was started in 20 school divisions of Region 3 by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) and the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) of DepEd (Central Luzon). DRRMIS, which is now in its third year, is prepared for a phased nationwide rollout.
The creation of this ground-breaking DRR information management system will aid in ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent data gathering, leading to better strategies and programmes for protecting kids from all dangers.
The non-governmental organisations have given the DRRMIS various technological tools to support its use. Several televisions, laptops, desktop PCs, and tablets were among them. The DRRMS Central Office, pilot schools in Region 3, and school disaster risk reduction coordinators in Region 5 were the recipients of these devices.
In the Philippines’ 17 regions, more than 21,000 schools have implemented RADaR and more than 20 million kids will eventually benefit from the programme, which seeks to cover all 47,000 schools in the country. These initiatives support DepEd’s mission of creating “Public Schools of the Future: Safe Schools.”
Meanwhile, to support the promotion of financial literacy among teachers and students in senior high school, the DepEd recently introduced the “DiskarTech-Aralin sa Madiskarteng Pananalapi” in collaboration with a local bank.
The initiative supports DepEd Order No. 22, s. 2021, titled Financial Education Policy, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, which is in line with DepEd’s initiatives to integrate financial education into the K–12 Basic Education Curriculum.
The initiative is the first and only Taglish inclusion super app and neighbourhood mobile ATM device in the nation, and it supports withdrawals from all ATM, prepaid, and debit cards.
The concepts of “Alkansya” (savings), “Paluwagan” (loans), “Seguro” (insurance), and “Bayad” are all digitalised via the DiskarTech programme (payments). By giving the students the opportunity to experience achieving financial education milestones through the programme, it hopes to encourage financial stewardship habits in the instructors and parents.
