Section 5Sec./Art. 5

Evacuation Centers. Only in cases where there is no other available place or structure which can be used as a general evacuation center may a school or child development center be used as an evacuation center.

When a school or child development center is used as an evacuation center, gymnasiums, learning and activity centers, auditoriums and other open spaces shall be utilized first. Classrooms shall only be used as a last resort. The use of the school premises shall be as brief as possible. If the use is predicted to exceed fifteen (15) days, the affected LGU shall provide written documentation to the DepED and the DILG on the following:

(a) The name and location of the school;

(b) All alternative sites and proposal for final site selection;

(c) Measures being implemented to prevent interference or disruption to the school and educational activities of children; and

(d) Other particulars to be provided in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

The DepED, in coordination with the DPWH, shall continuously monitor and assess the condition of temporary learning spaces or other transitional and semi-permanent structures used as classrooms after a disaster, and if the use exceeds six (6) months after the declaration of a state of calamity, the regional DepED office shall conduct regular site inspections and shall certify to the Secretary of Education that such spaces are in good physical condition and sufficient to ensure the safety of the children and their environment.