This will combine AI, satellite imagery, and geospatial analytics and school-level data to allow disaster reports to be useful information for education officials.
On Wednesday, August 26, the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Project LIGTAS+ (Learning Institution Geohazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety) was officially launched with the aim of protecting students.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the need to shift from passive resilience to proactive disaster management and said, “Hindi sapat na alam nating may panganib. Kailangan alam natin kung saan ito, sino ang maaapektuhan, gaano kalaki ang risk, at ano ang kailangan nating gawin bago pa maging krisis ang isang hazard.”
“Sa pamamagitan ng LIGTAS+, with its artificial intelligence-powered features, magkakaroon tayo ng mas malinaw, at mas actionable na impormasyon upang masuportahan ang ating mga paaralan. Our tool will surely benefit our thousands of schools nationwide,” he added.
Citing data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), schools lose an average of 40 to 50 days of instruction annually due to natural disasters—further exacerbates the learning loss, Angara noted.
Developed by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) of the DepEd together with the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), Project LIGTAS+ provides rapid assistance by removing data bottlenecks and rapid response during emergencies.
The national implementation was conducted after its successful user acceptance testing and operational integration last May.
During demonstration, attendees witnessed how the system reduced the preparation of an official situation report from several hours to just five minutes.
Moreover, it also demonstrated its ability to provide real-time monitoring of heavy rainfall, extreme heat, wind speed, and sudden temperature increases to alert authorities before the danger worsens.
Aside from emergency monitoring, Project LIGTAS+ will also guide future building designs, disaster-resistant construction, and the strategic placement of emergency learning packages such as Edukahon closer to high-risk communities before typhoons and disasters strike by identifying specific geohazard risks in each school.
During the launch, a ceremonial commitment signing between DepEd and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and UP Resilience Institute (UPRI), also happened.
Policies are currently being developed and training is being conducted to ensure the rapid implementation of the platform in all public schools nationwide.
