00:00The 2nd Congressional Commission on Education, or EDCOM-2, urges the government to shift
00:05away from using public schools as evacuation centers during disasters.
00:09It says this practice contributes to the country's learning crisis.
00:13The commission points out the law says schools should serve as temporary shelters only as
00:16a last resort and for a limited time period.
00:19Conversion into evacuation centers prompts schools to operate in temporary learning spaces.
00:25Citing data from the Education Department, EDCOM-2 also says over 10,000 schools were
00:29affected by calamities just from June to October 2025.
00:33It says disasters are now one of the most disruptive forces shaping the learning environment in
00:37the Philippines, repeatedly destroying school infrastructure and interrupting education
00:41at scale.
00:42EDCOM-2 reiterates the need for alternatives to the Department of Public Works and Highways
00:46to address classroom shortage, replace aging school buildings, and make infrastructure
00:50resilient to disasters.
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