By The Star Staff
The island Department of Education (DE) has expressed qualified support for a piece of legislation that aims to utilize unused school buildings as shelters during natural disasters and other emergencies.
On behalf of Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés, the DE presented its position regarding House Bill 32 through Security Commissioner César González Cordero. While the DE acknowledges the importance of having safe spaces for citizens during critical moments and supports the idea of designating unused schools as shelters, it emphasizes that the responsibility for identifying, adapting and maintaining the facilities should rest with the appropriate agencies, such as the Department of Housing and the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP). The DE’s budget is primarily allocated for the upkeep of active schools.
“Our commitment is to ensure that the educational system can resume as quickly as possible after an emergency,” Ramos Parés stated in written testimony. “To achieve this, it is essential that active schools not be used as shelters, as this could delay the beginning of the school semester. We support the measure, provided that safeguards are established to maintain the continuity of education and that the administrative responsibility for these shelters does not fall on the Department of Education.”
Additionally, the DE recommends that the bill include a mechanism to prioritize the rehabilitation of schools in emergency situations to facilitate the return of students. The agency also stressed the need for clear protocols regarding the use of facilities, the management of shelters, and the relocation of displaced individuals to ensure that school facilities are available promptly.
The DE reiterated its willingness to collaborate with relevant agencies in implementing the measure, ensuring that the protection of citizens and the continuity of educational services remain top priorities in Puerto Rico’s emergency management policy.
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