The Department of Education (DepEd) launched its disaster platform, Project LIGTAS+, on Friday to help schools prepare for natural disasters and prevent disruptions in education.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said: “Education is the most reliable ladder out of poverty.
“We are fulfilling the mandate of President Bongbong Marcos to implement innovations not only for security, but for stability,” he added.
The institution said Project LIGTAS+, which stands for Learning Institution Geohazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety, aims to protect students from classroom disruptions caused by natural disasters.
“We are moving away from speculation and looking to the future when the data ensures that no child’s education is washed away by the storm,” said Mr.
Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) showed that the country lost 53 school days in 2023 to 2024. Most of them were lost due to high temperature indicators in April/May and storms.
Through the platform, schools will be able to obtain school-specific risk profiles in real-time using geospatial analytics, satellite imagery, and historical risk data.
Other features of the platform include interactive multi-hazard mapping, flood intelligence powered by SAR satellite data, earthquake impact assessment, volcanic activity monitoring, and AI-powered weather forecasts up to 10 days in advance.
DepEd noted that the platform will also help in identifying which specific schools in the area are vulnerable and can remain open during disasters. Meanwhile, teachers and school staff can have early warnings of extreme heat and landslides.
“The LIGTAS+ project is designed to produce a granular risk view, allowing decision-makers to move beyond broad considerations and into more specific action,” the agency said in a news release.
“The LIGTAS+ project aims to give every parent peace of mind, knowing that their children are protected with a system that is always one step ahead of the next crisis, which ensures that the path out of poverty remains open even when the environment is uncertain,” he added.
The LIGTAS+ project is currently in its pilot phase and is designed to support DepEd’s long-term planning of school infrastructure and resource prioritization. – Almira Louise S. Martinez
