Manila: Local authorities and school administrators may now advance anticipatory actions and data-driven disaster response with the Project Learning Institution Geohazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety Plus (LIGTAS+), Education Secretary Sonny Angara said on Wednesday. This comes after the Department of Education (DepEd) officially launched the LIGTAS+ platform nationwide, following its successful pilot implementation in May. In a speech, the education chief said access to this artificial intelligence (AI) platform will be beneficial for both learners' safety and learning continuity.
According to Philippines News Agency, the platform allows local governments to monitor data publicly, enabling them to make informed decisions such as canceling in-person classes based on predicted weather conditions, like rainfall, well ahead of time. Angara emphasized the advantage of early advisories and the distribution of learning materials under the agency's 4H protocol (Hinto, Hinga, Hinay, or Hayo), allowing for a more anticipatory approach to disaster preparedness.
The platform's features include multi-hazard monitoring for response preparedness, automated situation reports, and live incident tracking through the agency's Incident Management and Reporting System (IMRS). Schools nationwide can utilize Project LIGTAS+ to assess risks, submit and access incident reports, and improve disaster response strategies.
A key aspect of the platform is its dashboard, which provides forecasts and hazard data that aid school administrators and local government units in making data-driven decisions. It highlights schools at risk due to weather conditions like high heat index, rainfall, and flooding. The platform also offers a 10-day weather outlook and recommends the 4H protocol for affected schools, subject to validation by local authorities.
For situation reports, the platform's report generator showcases the impact of various natural disasters on a national, regional, and provincial scale. It consolidates forecast data with field reports from schools, offering insights into class suspensions, learning interruptions, and damages to school infrastructure. This comprehensive data access aims to enhance the overall preparedness and response strategies of educational institutions across the country.
