THE nine regional evacuation centers located in the six provinces of Western Visayas are underway and soon be accommodating the public in times of calamities and disasters.
The said centers, with the total contract amount of P310.301 million and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Western Visayas are constructed in San Jose in Antique, Kalibo in Aklan, Roxas City in Capiz, Nueva Valencia in Guimaras, Carles and Zarraga in Iloilo and Bago City, San Carlos City and Sagay City in Negros Occidental.
Three of these centers, located in Negros Occidental are substantially completed while those in Antique, Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo are nearing completion and the one in Guimaras is also more than halfway constructed.
District Engineer Genaro Panganiban of DPWH-Negros Occidental Fourth District Engineering Office said the evacuation center situated in Bago City is almost completed, with some remaining final touches.
“The completion of the center is timely this rainy season wherein we expect series of typhoons that could cause floods, landslides, and other calamities,” he said.
Each evacuation center has a lot area of roughly 3,000 square meters and floor area ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 square meters, except the one in Bago City, Negros Occidental, with the lot area of 5,000 square meters.
These centers have accommodation building that can house around 33 families or 130 individual, infirmary building that will serve as a hospital for the sick and injured evacuees, and pharmacy for quick medical response during calamity.
Also provided in each center are toilets and bathrooms for male, female and persons with disability (PWD), generator room for emergency cases, pump room, laundry area, water tank, cistern tank and materials recovery facilities (MRF).
An office for the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) will also be provided in each evacuation center for immediate response.
Meanwhile, another evacuation center in San Miguel, Iloilo was bid out recently, while five more centers are planned to be constructed in Miagao in Iloilo, Libertad in Antique, Buenavista in Guimaras, and Bacolod City and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental.
Once completed, these evacuation centers will provide temporary refuge to individuals and families potentially at risk or in actual danger during calamities and disasters. (PR)