By Daniel Manalastas
The House of Representatives passed on 3rd reading, Thursday, the measure seeking to build evacuation centers in every city and municipality in the country.
This is meant to address the problem of emergency shelter every time the country is hit by a calamity or disasters.
In the plenary session before the Holy Week break, 195 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill No. 8990 otherwise known as “An Act Establishing Evacuation Centers in Every City and Municipality” with no objections
Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, one of the principal authors of the bill, cited that this measure “shall not only provide refuge or temporary shelter to the calamity victims but shall represent an integrated response to the basic needs of the displaced citizenry towards restoration of full normalcy in their lives.”
Quezon 4th district Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan, also one of the principal authors of the bill, said that it is imperative to build a long-term response due to the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
“The establishment of evacuation centers in every city and municipality throughout the county has never been more important than it is today as it is envisioned to provide immediate and temporary accommodation for people who have been evacuated or displaced from their homes due to emergency events such as typhoons, floods, storm surges, drought and other severe climate disturbances, as well as fire, and the outbreak of illnesses and diseases that presents imminent danger to life and property, such as the present COVID-19 pandemic,” Rep. Tan explained.
Under the proposed bill, the Department of Public Works and Highways will be mandated for the construction of the evacuation centers.
Cities and municipalities will be directed to be primarily responsible for the operation, supervision, management and maintenance of evacuation centers.
