A NEW and modernized evacuation center is set for utilization as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inaugurated Tuesday, April 2, the disaster-resilient building in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
DPWH Nueva Ecija First District Engineer George DC Santos joined Representative Estrelita Suansing and the local officials in the inauguration and blessing of the one-story evacuation center with a funding of P32.725 million located in Barangay Sampaloc, Talavera which is one of the six evacuation centers to be constructed by the agency in Central Luzon.
Regional director Roseller Tolentino said the construction of the evacuation center is in line with the government’s aim of safeguarding Filipino people from any calamities through mitigating and preparing for the impact of such incidents.
“This evacuation center is constructed in a low-risk area as identified in the hazard map and is designed to be resilient from any disaster such as flood, earthquake, and other extreme weather events,” Tolentino added.
The blessing was followed by the official turnover of the evacuation center from the DPWH-Central Luzon to the Talavera local government unit, through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Central Luzon, which will facilitate and maintain the infrastructure.
Santos said that the DPWH entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the OCD, Talavera local government, Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development of this region to ensure that the infrastructure will serve its purpose.
Under the MOA, the local government of Talavera is mandated to take over the management and maintenance of the evacuation center while the OCD, DOH, and DSWD of Central Luzon are tasked to provide necessary assistance, especially during times of calamity. (PR)