Mayor Rama: Speed Up Emergency Exits in Public Schools

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has ordered the Local School Board (LSB) to speed up the construction of emergency exits in all public schools in the city.

The Cebu City Government has appropriated Php23 million for additional emergency exits following the massive devastation caused by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in both Bohol and Cebu in 2013.

The amount was sourced from the Special Education Fund.

Rama issued the order following the Intensity 5 earthquake in the Visayas area, including Cebu and Bohol.

The city is set to construct 70 emergency exits in 40 schools that lack emergency stairways to ensure students can vacate the buildings safely in the event of emergencies.

LSB Chairman Rady Diola said constructions of 25 emergency exits have just commenced owing to some bidding hitches.

The project was bidded out last September.

These additional exits are seen to be operational this May.

Of the 70 emergency exits, 30 have been constructed while 15 others are set to be finished next week.

Lawyer Jose Daluz III, head of the LSB, said it will take 30 days for the steel emergency stairways to be finished. (PNA) FPV/EB/EBP