BATANGAS CITY — The provincial government is gearing up for an environment-friendly and multi-functional Batangas Capitol Evacuation Center following Wednesday’s formal groundbreaking rites at the provincial government complex here.
Batangas provincial public information office chief Jenelyn A. Aguilera disclosed to Philippine News Agency Friday that the evacuation center project sprawls on around 3,000 square meters of area and could accommodate some 3,000 evacuees in the event of a disaster or calamity.
Aguilera said Governor Hermilando Mandanas has spearheaded the project involving the department heads, particularly the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Engineer’s Office, Social Welfare and Development Office, Health and key units at the ground breaking rites Aug. 8.
She said the project, which is expected to be completed by December this year, cost PHP60 million. The provincial government plans to formally open it on March 2019.
“Mahigpit ang tagubilin ng gobernador na gawing environment-friendly ang proyekto, at dahil dito, ipinagbilin nito na walang puno ang mapuputol sa konstruksyon at komplesyon ng naturang proyekto (The governor has strictly directed to make the project environment-friendly, and because of this, he ordered that no trees will be cut during the construction and completion of the said project),” Provincial Engineer Gilbert Gatdula said.
Gatdula said the construction design of the evacuation center would have multi-purpose convertible features like a covered park, assembly area and recreation activity center with the necessary facilities.
Aguilera added that besides the evacuation center’s vital disaster risk reduction and management operations, the indoor setup will be spruced up with LED monitors on the walls to provide indoor entertainment for the public. It will also be equipped with a stand-by heavy-duty general purpose generator, which can also provide emergency electrical power for the entire Capitol complex in case of a power outage. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
