March 2, 2021

Legazpi City – To further improve its response capability in times of crisis, the Department of Education Bicol distributed life-saving communication devices to the 13 Schools Division Offices in Bicol, March 1, 2021.

DepEd Bicol Director Gilbert Sadsad said that the materials were purchased by the Regional Office to ensure the speedy submission of situational and damage reports during emergency, especially in the occurrence of natural calamities such as typhoons and volcanic eruption.

“We decided to use our funds to purchase this equipment because we need to be prompt in the delivery of report during times of crisis” said Sadsad-

RD Sadsad noted that the immediate and accurate submission of assessment and damage reports by the SDOs is vital for the agency’s response intervention to the affected schools and learners during emergencies. According to him, these reports serves as guide for the decisions and planning of interventions by DepEd and Stakeholder.

Before the onset of the COIVD19, the Department of Education, through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Team, has started the procurement of DRR facilities in schools and in the division due to the region’s vulnerability to typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural calamities.

The life-saving equipment distributed by DepEd Bicol is consisted of Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio, Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) Camera, laptop, printer, and generator set. Another set of equipment composed of satellite phones is proposed to be distributed also to the SDOs.

The turn-over ceremony was witnessed by Regional and Division Officials and personnel and was held at the Regional Education and Learning Center, DepEd Region V.