A THIRD evacuation center in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was officially launched in Benguet.

The facility can house 130 individuals and 33 families who could be at risk in times of calamity and disaster. It has an area of about 3,000 square meters, as well as power generators and power tanks that can withstand calamities.

Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso said with Benguet being prone to disasters, the facility is very important.

Pacalso was with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD), and Department of Health officials for the turnover ceremony at Wangal, La Trinidad.

OCD Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad said it is a huge challenge to overcome calamities, with the Philippines being one of the top hazardous areas among 172 countries because of its location.

DSWD-Cordillera Director Janet Armas said the facility will accommodate residents from neighboring areas, but it will be mainly utilized by the province.

"Gusto nating mag-focus sa mitigation and preparednes. Sa preparedness , ginagawa ito ng Department of the Interior and Local Government in coordination with local government units especially preparation of the families. Kasi kahit prepared, may facility, prepared ang gobyerno pero kung mismo ang pamilya ay hindi handa, nagkakaroon pa rin tayo ng problema," Armas said.

Two other evacuation centers were earlier inaugurated in Apayao and Abra.