(Eagle News)—-The Department of Education suspended work on Tuesday, April 23, following the 6.1-magnitude quake that killed at least seven an hurt 81.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said covered by the suspension was work at the Central Office and the National Capital Region including all its schools division offices and public elementary and secondary schools.
She said the recommendation was made upon the advice of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
All concerned units were told to make the necessary adjustments in their scheduled activities, and were told to proceed only with urgent activities, “provided that the Office of the Secretary is informed, and that necessary measures to ensure safety are taken,” the DepEd said.
Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua ordered the department’s field offices in the affected areas—through their local engineers, architects, and DRRM coordinators—to undertake a thorough investigation of all school buildings and facilities.
“Only when the structural integrity and safety of school buildings and facilities is assured can the learners, teachers, and personnel be allowed to enter the same,” Pascua said.
