PBBM OKs laws on permanent evac sites, student loan payment moratorium

PBBM (File Photo: Philippine Communications Office/Facebook)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Priam Nepomuceno, Wilnard Bacelonia, Zaldy de Layola, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday signed the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act and the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act.

In a ceremony in Malacañang, Marcos said the signing of the two new laws reflects the government’s “steadfast commitment to protecting the rights and providing relief to families and students affected by calamities.”

Republic Act (RA) 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act aims to establish a nationwide network of permanent, storm-resilient evacuation centers designed to withstand typhoon winds of up to 300 kph and seismic activity of up to magnitude 8.0.

The evacuation centers will be fully equipped with sleeping areas, health care stations, sanitation facilities, and provisions for livestock, and will prioritize high-risk and disaster-prone areas.

“Investing in these climate-resilient facilities must be the norm for we are not only protecting the people’s lives but also capacitating our local government units (LGUs) to respond, to reduce, and to manage the risks of disasters,” Marcos said in his speech.

“Through this, we are also integrating into the very consciousness of every Filipino that preparedness is as vital as responsiveness.”

The President called on the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure the timely completion of the centers, especially in disaster-prone areas.

Meanwhile, RA 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, aims to provide financial relief to students in calamity-declared areas, allowing the deferment of loan payments for higher education and technical-vocational training programs during and after emergencies, without penalty or interest.

“The benevolence of this law allows disaster-affected students and their families to have breathing space as they recuperate and rebuild their lives,” Marcos said.

He also called on the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to extend all forms of “necessary and reasonable assistance” to students and ensure that their financial hardship would not hinder them from completing their education.

He thanked members of both houses of Congress for passing these crucial laws.

Milestone in disaster response

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) called the new law a “significant milestone” in the government’s disaster preparedness efforts.

In a statement, OCD chief Ariel Nepomuceno said this highlights the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives of all Filipinos.

“We wish to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering leadership and vision in enhancing our disaster preparedness and response mechanisms,” he said.

Nepomuceno also called the establishment of permanent evacuation centers across every city and municipality not just a legislative achievement but a testament to a collective resolve to protect the most vulnerable.

“Your recognition of the urgent need for dedicated, resilient spaces for those affected by disasters reflects a profound understanding of the challenges faced by our communities,” he said.

Lessons learned from past calamities have highlighted the inadequacies of temporary shelters, which often fail to meet the specific needs of displaced families, he said.

“Your commitment to building robust evacuation centers will ensure that our citizens have safe havens during times of crisis, allowing them to rebuild their lives with dignity and support,” he said.

“As we look forward to the implementation of this vital law, let us remember the countless lives that will be touched by our efforts. Together, we can create a future where every Filipino feels secure and supported, no matter the circumstances. Your leadership inspires us all to strive for a more resilient nation.”

Compassion, equal opportunity

The leaders of both chambers of Congress said RA 12077 reflects the Filipino spirit of “damayan’” (compassion) and promotes equal opportunity in education.

“It is the government’s duty to ensure that every child has access to education and that no barriers stand in the way of their education,” Senate President Francis Escudero said.

He said allowing a student loan payment moratorium during disasters is a timely government intervention to prevent students from dropping out due to financial hardships caused.

“We are facing more frequent and severe weather disturbances. While we often see the physical destruction caused by these calamities, the impact on students is often overlooked. Many are forced to sacrifice their education due to financial constraints,” he said.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the moratorium promotes the government’s goal of providing all learners with equal opportunity.

“The moratorium will be a big relief to students, both in public and private schools, including those run by local government units, in times of calamities, disasters, and similar emergency situations,” Romualdez said.

“This assistance, together with other forms of support the government would extend to them, would make recovery and return to normal life easier and faster for them,” he said.