Davao eyes evacuation center for each district

THE City Government of Davao plans to have at least one designated permanent evacuation center in each district to avoid fleeing to schools during disasters.

Lyndon Ancajas, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Office (CDRRMCO) training officer, during the iSpeak media forum Thursday, September 20, said a permanent evacuation center in each district will help cater to victims in times of calamity

Ancajas also said as much as possible, schools should not be used as evacuation centers in times of calamities in the city as it will affect its operation.

“Luoy pud ang mga estudyante, ma-doble ang disaster, unya di pud dayon sila maka-eskwela (The students will suffer because even after the calamity they might not resume school immediately),” he said.

At present, a permanent evacuation center is located in Los Amigos district, and there are two more others to be constructed but its location was not disclosed yet.

Meanwhile, Ancajas said each barangay should also have a permanent evacuation center since the city cannot cater everyone as its population is increasing.

Its implementation, however, is difficult due to budget constraints.

“Sa mga barangay, ang ginagamit ngayon for evacuation is yung mga available spaces like basketball court and multi-purpose hall,” Ancajas said.

He also said even in the barangay level, there are already responders in place.

Ample funds

The Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Office (CDRRMCO) said the city still has ample funds prepared for calamities and disasters.

When Davao City provided P20.5 million food and cash assistance to typhoon victims in Luzon areas, some Dabawenyos, through their social media posts and comments, said that they are worried about how the city will help itself in times of calamities.

“Rest assured na naa pa tay budget. Aside sa Quick Response Fund (QRF), naa tay other funds (Rest assured that we still have a budget. Aside from the QRF, we still have other funds),” CDRRMCO training officer Lyndon Ancajas said during the iSpeak media forum Thursday.

Ancajas added that the public should never worry because the city is well-prepared for typhoons and other disasters that may enter the city.

“Dili man nato pwede i-compromise pud ang Davao City, tapos gibalanse napud nato na (We will not compromise Davao City and we already balanced the fund),” Ancajas said.

“Magbilin pud ta ug budget para sa city kay although pahumanay na tuig, ang ‘ber’ months gyud ang grabe’s bagyo (We have remaining budget for that because even if the year is ending, there are still remaining months that typhoons may strike),” he added.

Ancajas also said that the city has been intensifying the daily monitoring in disaster-prone barangays and regularly practicing response protocols.

Helping other local government units (LGUs) that are declared under state of calamity is the city’s initiative to contribute to their recovery.

“It is better to give help than kita ang maging recipient (It is better to give help than becoming the recipient),” he said.

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