Solon files bill creating permanent evacuation centers in the country

Valenzuela City Cong. Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian cheerfully interacts with a baby in one of his field visits (George Calvelo / Facebook)

MANILA — Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian (1st District, Valenzuela City) has filed a bill creating permanent evacuation and relief centers for victims of calamities in the country.

“The establishment of permanent evacuation centers with the necessary facilities will address the issues encountered by evacuees like congestion and exposure to hazards during calamities,” said Gatchalian in filing House Bill No. 5867.

Gatchalian said the government should stop the practice of using the schoolhouses as evacuation centers during calamities.

“It is a common practice to use the school buildings as evacuation centers, which causes the disruption of school activities,” he said.

However, Gatchalian said the government should consider the construction of permanent facilities such as comfort rooms and kitchen for evacuees in the schools premises where it will be difficult to construct new evacuation centers due to lack of space.

Gatchalian said the bill seeks to establish an evacuation center in every municipality and city with priority given to the local government units (LGU) with the most vulnerable communities and with less secure infrastructure.

“The importance of permanent and fully operational evacuation centers with the necessary facilities in place cannot be disregarded during a calamity,” Gatchalian said.

Under the bill, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is mandated to determine which municipalities and cities will be given priority and provided with new evacuation centers.

The evacuation and relief center should have sleeping area, mess house, comfort rooms, kitchen, trash collection area, clinic, laundry area, recreation area and pet and livestock holding area.

The kitchen and dining area should be able to cater for the number of people in the evacuation centers during calamities.

The construction and maintenance of additional facilities for schools already used as evacuation centers shall be charged to the appropriation of the Department of Education.