What launched

On 26 August 2026, DepEd launched Project LIGTAS+ nationwide. The name stands for Learning Institution Geohazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety. It uses AI, satellite imagery, geospatial analytics and school-level risk data.

DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service built it with the Education Center for AI Research. Partner agencies at the commitment signing included DOST, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS and the UP Resilience Institute.

What the tool is for

During a demonstration, DepEd said official situation reports could be prepared in about five minutes instead of hours. The platform can also track rainfall, extreme heat, wind speeds and temperature spikes.

DepEd cited EDCOM II data that schools lose an average of 40 to 50 instructional days each year because of natural hazards. The department said LIGTAS+ can also inform longer-term choices such as more resilient school buildings and where to preposition emergency learning packages.

The later school-use order

On 3 September 2026, Philstar reported that Education Secretary Sonny Angara ordered public school administrators, teachers and disaster-response coordinators to integrate LIGTAS+ into preparedness routines. Angara said school leaders need clear information before a hazard becomes an emergency.

That order tells school staff to use the tool. It does not create a public parent dashboard, and it does not replace PAGASA warnings or DepEd class-suspension announcements.

What parents should do

  • Follow official PAGASA weather warnings and DepEd or LGU class-suspension notices.
  • Treat LIGTAS+ as a school-admin preparedness aid, not a public go-or-no-go app.
  • Ask the school how it will communicate during storms, floods or earthquakes.
  • Do not wait for an AI map if an official advisory already says to stay home.

Sources & further reading

Source note. The linked sources support the news in this article. The explanations and suggested next steps are from Pinoy AI Works.