THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the construction of Bacolod evacuation center in Abada-Escay Relocation Site at Barangay Vista Alegre, Bacolod City.

District Engineer Abraham Villareal said the construction of the evacuation center amounting to P36 million was funded by the DPWH regional office in Western Visayas.

He added the evacuation center, which is composed of eight structures, is scheduled to be completed before the onset of the rainy season.

Villareal noted that because of their high performance, the DPWH-Western Visayas agreed to locate one of the evacuation centers in Bacolod and another one in Panay Island.

“The construction of evacuation center started only this month [September] and it’s expected to be finished by seven to eight months,” Villareal said.

He said the 1,000-square meter evacuation center was constructed in the government-owned lot in Barangay Vista Alegre.

Bacolod Representative Greg Gasataya earlier announced that the National Government allotted P36 million for the multi-storey evacuation center.

Gasataya said the evacuation center is intended only for residents of Bacolod, especially those affected by typhoon and fire, but if there is a calamity or emergency from nearby cities and municipalities, the area is also open to accommodate them.