To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services/Centers and Heads of Units
Regional Director
Schools City/Division Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Schools

1. Building schools, nations and communities resilient to disaster is one of the objectives of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 which is now considered as a priority policy for implementation by the Department. The Hyogo Framework for Action is a global blue print for disaster risk reduction efforts which aims to reduce disaster losses in lives, properties, social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries by year 2015.
2. Under the Non-Structural component of the Safe Schools Program, one of the activities undertaken by the Department is the preparation of the Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Manual (DRRRM) which will serve as source of information to be used by school administrators, School heads/principals, supervisors, and teachers relative to the implementation of disaster risk reduction management projects.
3. In view hereof, all concerned are enjoined to prioritize the following:
   1. Utilization of the Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Manual (DRRRM) which was prepared by the Technical Working Group created through DepED Memorandum No. 175, s. 2007. Guidelines for its utilization are enclosed as Enclosure No. 1 of this Memorandum which also contain suggested activities and duties and responsibilities of each stakeholder. An orientation on the utilization of the DRRRM will be conducted by the Technical Working Group to all regions starting August 14 to September 5, 2007 as contained in DepED Memorandum No. 291, s. 2007 which was disseminated earlier to the field.
   2. Implementation of Safe Schools Programs relative to disaster risk reduction efforts such as:
      1. Non-Structural Components
         1. Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction Concepts in the Elementary and Secondary School Curricula;
         2. School Mapping Exercise;
         3. Schools Water and Electrical Facilities Assessment Project;
         4. Preparation of Disaster Preparedness Modules Through Multi-Media;
         5. Quarterly Conduct of Earthquake and Fire Drills; and
         6. Road Safety Education for Children.
      2. Structural Components
         1. Construction of Hazards Resilient Schoolbuildings
            • Learning and Public Use Schoolbuilding (Lapus Building)
            • Be Better, Build Better International Design Competition
            • Assessment of Schoolbuildings’ Structural Integrity and Stability (ASSIST)
   3. Information Dissemination Campaign for Energy and Water Conservation Flyers (Enclosure Nos. 2 and 3) on water and energy conservation will be distributed to the schools and all concerned are enjoined to use these flyers as advocacy and information dissemination campaign materials. A Communication Plan was also developed by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) with the DepED as one of its Member Agencies, with the “Sampung Hakbang” on water and energy conservation using an acronym TUBIG POWER (Enclosure No. 4) as tips and ways to conserve these important resources. Objectives of this are to create heightened awareness among the schoolchildren, teachers and the general public on the impending dry spell and in preparation for the coming of the rainy season.
   4. Monitoring of the implementation of the disaster risk reduction projects and other activities under this Order shall be done by the Central Office particularly the Calamity/Disaster and Fire Control Group (CDFCG) care of the Office of the Director for Administrative Service.
4. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Order is directed.

Encls.:
As stated
References: DepED Memorandum: (Nos. 175 and 291, s. 2007)
Allotment: 1- -(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CALAMITY
PROGRAMS
PROJECTS
SCHOOLS