THE construction of a P32-million state-of-the-art evacuation center in Barangay San Isidro, Minalin town has been completed, the Provincial Government of Pampanga reported on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Governor Dennis Pineda led the inspection of what is said to be one of the best evacuation centers in the entire province of Pampanga. It has canteen stalls and kitchen, medical room, children’s room, and offices.
Pineda was joined by Minalin Mayor Edgardo Flores and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Angelina Blanco during the inspection of the facility, which is seen as a response to evacuation needs in the district and a venue for other community events.
The building is among the series of construction involving evacuation facilities in the province with some evacuation centers situated in various districts to address district needs in cases of calamities.
The construction of the facility on a 2,000-square-meter lot donated by the local government unit of Minalin was funded by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
Pineda said the construction of the evacuation center is in line with the government’s efforts to safeguard the Kapampangans from calamities through disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.
“Sa pagtutulungan na iyan ay may ligtas na pupuntahan ang mga taga-Minalin pag may kalamidad o sakuna (Through that cooperation, there is a safer place for the people of Minalin in times of calamity or disaster),” the governor said in an interview.
For his part, Minalin Mayor Edgardo Flores thanked the National Government for the construction of the evacuation center, which he said is vital for the residents in times of calamities.
“Maraming natutuwa kasi parang state-of-the art. Kami ay nagpapasalamt sa ating gobyerno at kay Gobernador Pineda sa pagtulong nila (Many people are happy because it is state-of-the art. We are thankful to our government and to Governor Pineda for helping us,” Flores said.
Aside from the newly built evacuation center in Minalin, there are three other permanent evacuation centers in the province -- one in Magalang and two others in Mexico town.
Through the support of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), three other multi-purpose evacuation centers are being constructed in the province as part of the government’s long-term measures to address climate change. (With a report from PNA)