Guv eyes construction of prov’l evacuation center

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Governor Lilia Pineda said Wednesday she is eyeing the construction of a provincial evacuation center in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Magalang town.

She said they are now coordinating with the National Housing Authority (NHA) for the provision of 10 hectares of property as a possible site of the proposed evacuation center.

“Nakikipag ugnayan na kami sa NHA para dun sa sampung hektaryang bakanteng lupa sa Sta. Lucia,” the governor said.

This initiative is aimed at providing affected Kapampangans, particularly those in the fourth district, a decent and fully equipped center during calamities.

“Magpapagawa tayo ng malaking evacuation center, yung kumpleto na mayroong mga CR at kusina para sa ating mga kababayan,” Pineda said.

It can be recalled that thousands of Kapampangans living along the stretch of Pampanga River were displaced during the height of the Southwest Monsoon due to massive flooding.

They were forced to stay in tents and other temporary shelters erected along the structurally defective Arayat-Apalit setback levee for several weeks.

This levee serves as the last defense of the province against flooding.
However due to its current condition, some portions of the levee failed to sustain the volume of water coming from the Pampanga River which caused inundation to communities in the dike’s other side.

In fact, hundreds of residents in Masantol town are still living in tents as their houses remain submerged in floodwaters up to this time.