February 12, 2010 DO 11, s. 2010 – Mitigating the Effects of El Nino/La Nina Phenomenon in the School Level

February 12, 2010
DO 11, s. 2010
Mitigating the Effects of El Nino/La Nina Phenomenon in the School Level
  1. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported the onset of the El Nino Phenomenon or prolonged drought in some parts of the country. There are clear manifestations that the adverse effects shall be felt in the first six months of the year which will also delay the arrival of the rainy season. El Nino is accompanied by extreme wet weather called La Nina which could also be equally damaging. These weather disturbances could damage severely agricultural production (crop and livestock), halt fishing industry, water and power supplies, cause various health problems and increase the risk of natural disaster.
  2. In order to mitigate the adverse effect of El Nino/La Nina, there is an urgent need for sustained AWARENESS campaign to be conducted in the school level. Specifically, the campaign aims to:
  1. educate the learners on disaster preparedness in view of the onset of El Nino/La Nina;
  2. encourage the learners to practice basic water and power supply conservation; and
  3. share correct, updated information to the family members and to the community folks.
  1. For an effective information/sustained awareness campaign, the following are recommended activities to be spearheaded by the School Heads, Head Teachers, Area Coordinators and CAT Facilitators:
  1. Citizenship Advancement Training (CAT) students in line with the Community Service component shall conduct information awareness campaign to nearby elementary schools in coordination with the school head;
  2. CAT students shall coordinate with the Barangay Officials to extend the service particularly in line with cleanliness, sanitation, and water/power conservation program;
  3. The Student Government Organization (SGO) through class organization shall conduct “Ulat Butas ng Tubo ng Tubig sa Paaralan at Bahay Campaign”. The SGO officers shall consolidate reports and submit said report to nearby Water System Office thru the school head. The report shall be prepared based on the following format:
Owner/Class Address/Location Type of Leak Remark
  1. SGO officers and members shall regularly inspect/check all possible containers like drums, tires, flower vases, plant boxes where mosquitoes breed. Those drums utilized to save water from rain for watering plants shall not be kept for a long period of time;
  2. All school organs shall maintain a column for El Nino/La Nina Information focused on the nature and mitigation of said phenomenon. Students’ views and best practices shall be accepted / published;
  3. Topics on mitigating said weather disturbances shall be included in all PTA and school club meetings; and
  4. Other activities to be initiated by the schools are encouraged such as slogan making, poster making and essay writing contests, etc.
  1. All teachers, whenever and wherever possible are requested to integrate in their lessons topics on El Nino and La Nina. Emphasis shall be on the nature, adverse effects and how each one can contribute in mitigating the effects of these weather disturbances. Information materials can be requested from local DENR, PAGASA Offices or from the internet.
  2. There are 47 provinces identified by PAGASA to be vulnerable to El Nino/La Nina. These are:
Luzon                                               18. Quezon                                  33. Misamis Oriental
1. Ilocos Sur                                      19. Nueva Ecija                             34. Aklan
2. Ilocos Norte                                    20. Bulacan                                 35. Antique
3. La Union                                        21. Pampanga                              36. Bohol
4. Pangasinan                                    22. Tarlac                                     37. Samar
5. Cagayan                                        23. Zambales
6. Aurora                                           24. Cavite                                    Mindanao
7. Bataan                                          25. Rizal                                      38. Sarangani
8. Abra                                              26. Occidental Mindoro                 39. South Cotabato
9. Apayao                                          27. Palawan                                 40. Zamboanga del Norte
10. Benguet                                       28. Romblon                                 41. Zamboanga City
11. Ifugao                                           29. Sorsogon                                42. Zamboanga Sibugay
12. Mountain Province                                                                            43. Zamboanga del Sur
13. Isabela                                         Visayas                                       44. Bukidnon
14. Nueva Vizcaya                              30. Capiz                                     45. Davao Oriental
15. Quirino                                         31. Iloilo                                       46. Davao del Sur
16. Batangas                                     32. Negros Occidental                   47. Davao City
17. Laguna
  1. School/City Division Superintendents of the aforementioned divisions are hereby directed to submit consolidated and documented school reports on the conduct of the recommended activities not later than March 30, 2010 to:
Hon. JESLI A. LAPUS
Secretary
Attention:      ANTONIO A. INOCENTES
Undersecretary
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City
  1. Other School/City Division Superintendents are encouraged to conduct the recommended activities in preparation for any eventualities due to El Nino/La Nina. There is no substitute to sustained awareness and preparedness.
  2. This Department, being a member of the Presidential Task Force to Mitigate the Effects of El Nino/La Nina Phenomenon shall monitor and report to the said Task Force the activities conducted in the school level.
  3. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Order is directed.
Sgd.
Jesli A. Lapus
Secretary
DO No. 11, s. 2010