Summary
On August 26, 2026, the Department of Education (DepEd) formally launched LIGTAS+ (Learning Institution Geohazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety) nationwide at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Techzone Building in Makati City, marking the rollout of a new AI-powered platform designed to strengthen disaster preparedness and school safety. The launch was followed by the signing of a joint pledge of commitment among DepEd and its partner agencies and organizations.
A Data-Driven Push for Safer Schools
The nationwide rollout comes as DepEd continues to strengthen its preparedness for disasters that disrupt classes and put school communities at risk. With thousands of schools exposed to hazards ranging from tropical cyclones and flooding to earthquakes, extreme heat, and volcanic activity, timely and localized information is critical to making decisions before and during emergencies.
At the launch, Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba emphasized the importance of having clearer data to guide DepEd's disaster risk reduction efforts. "Malaking bagay po ang LIGTAS+ para sa ating DRRMS (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service) dahil magkakaroon tayo ng mas malinaw na datos … kung saan natin dapat ituon ang interventions at kung paano natin mas mapoprotektahan ang safety and welfare ng ating mga guro at mag-aaral," she noted.
She underscored that LIGTAS+ can help DepEd move toward a more proactive approach to disaster preparedness. "Kapag ligtas ang paaralan, mas ligtas ang ating mga guro at mag-aaral," Aldaba said. "And when schools are safe, learning can continue."
Education Secretary Sonny Angara also graced the event, joined by members of DepEd's Executive Committee, regional and division office personnel, and school disaster risk reduction and management coordinators, reflecting the department's institutional support for the nationwide rollout.
Bringing LIGTAS+ to Schools
Project LIGTAS+ was developed by the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR) in collaboration with DepEd's DRRMS.
The AI-powered multi-hazard platform brings together weather and hazard data to provide localized safety information for more than 47,000 public schools. Through an interactive map, authorized DepEd personnel can view the hazards affecting their schools using data from PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the EU's Copernicus satellite program.
LIGTAS+ is designed to support school administrators in making timely and informed decisions during emergencies, applying the Education in Emergencies framework through its 4H (Hayo, Hinay, Hinga, Hinto) protocol. The platform supports, but does not replace, official advisories, protocols, or field assessments.
With its nationwide rollout, LIGTAS+ brings ECAIR's work into a practical setting: supporting DepEd's efforts to strengthen preparedness and protect school communities before, during, and after disasters.
Partners Pledge to Strengthen School Safety
The launch brought together representatives from government agencies and education-sector organizations working toward disaster resilience, including PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, the UP Resilience Institute, the Philippine Space Agency, and the Office of Civil Defense. Education-cluster partners Save the Children Philippines, SEAMEO, and TESDA also joined the gathering.
The launch culminated in the signing of a joint pledge of commitment, through which DepEd and its partners affirmed their shared resolve to strengthen disaster preparedness and build safer, more resilient schools and communities.
The pledge calls on stakeholders to lead, prepare, and protect together, framing school safety as a continuing shared responsibility rather than a standalone program.