Construction Standards for Last Mile and GIDA Schools.
Section 8
SEC. 8. Construction Standards for Last Mile and GIDA Schools.- School buildings and related facilities under this Act shall comply with the minimum standards and specifications prescribed by the DepEd for public school infrastructure: Provided, That, where full compliance with these minimum standards and specifications is not feasible, the DepEd shall prescribe appropriate and context-responsive standards specifically for Last Mile and GIDA Schools. Such standards shall ensure that all school facilities remain safe, durable, accessible, climate- and disaster-resilient, and suitable to the geographic, cultural, and environmental conditions of the communities they serve. When practicable, the DepEd shall integrate the use of bamboo, engineered bamboo, and other sustainable, locally sourced materials in the design, construction, repair, and rehabilitation of public school buildings and facilities: Provided, That the use of such materials shall strictly comply with the building codes, safety metrics, structural standards and guidelines set forth by relevant regulatory bodies to ensure the structural integrity and disaster resilience of the school infrastructure. The construction of Last Mile and GIDA Schools shall be subject to applicable environmental laws, including Republic Act No. 11038 or the "Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018", and Presidential Decree No. 705 or the "Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines", in coordination with the DENR.