A total of P216 million is allocated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VI for the construction of six (6) regional evacuation centers in various areas in Panay Island, each with the appropriation of P36.0 million.
According to Engr. Oliver E. Zamora, chief of the Maintenance Division, two of these centers are on-going, one in San Jose, Antique and the other one in Roxas City, Capiz.
Zamora added that the remaining four centers are proposed to be constructed in Kalibo, Aklan; Libertad, Antique; Carles, Iloilo; and Zarraga, Iloilo.
“The evacuation center proposed to be constructed in Libertad, Antique, which was identified during the recent meeting with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), however, is subject to Geohazard screening from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB),” said Zamora.
“Each evacuation center has a lot area of roughly 3,000 square meters and floor area of 1,600 square meters,” he added.
The center includes accommodation building that can house around 33 families or 130 persons, five (5) male and female toilets and bath and one (1) for persons with disability (PWD), generator room, pump room, laundry area, water tanks with a capacity of 6,000 gallons, cistern tank with the capacity of 16,000 gallons and a materials recovery facility (MRF).
Also included in the center is the infirmary building, which will serve as a hospital for the sick and injured evacuees. Pharmacy will also be provided inside this building for quick medical response during the calamity. An office for DRRMC and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) will also be provided on the second floor of this building.
Once completed, the regional evacuation centers will help the people of Panay in minimizing the risk and ensuring their safety especially in times of calamities and disasters.
“These centers will provide temporary refuge to individuals and families potentially at risk or in actual danger,” said Zamora.