ILOILO City – A P50-million evacuation center will soon rise in Barangay Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo district.
Over the weekend, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) headed by Secretary Jose Faustino, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 represented by Engineer Edward Joseph Sudario, Iloilo City’s Rep. Julienne Baronda, and Councilor Urminico Baronda Jr. who represented Mayor Jerry Treñas broke ground for a multipurpose two-storey building that will serve as an evacuation center and office of OCD-6, among other purposes.
Baronda, who facilitated the funding, said the 1,600-square meter facility will serve not only Barangay Sto. Niño Sur but all the 30 barangays of Arevalo.
During disasters, Baronda said, a portion of the building will serve as a comfortable and safe refuge of displaced families.
“We don’t want nga ang aton mga eskwelahan himuon evacuation center kon may mga sunog kag iban pa nga kalamidad,” said Baronda.
According to Sudario, the project is funded under General Appropriations Act (GAA) and is expected to be completed within 240 calendar days by contractor F. Gurrea Construction, Inc.
The ground floor will have offices and an open space that can be utilized for cultural, civic and other activities; a mezzanine floor with an area of 304 square meters that will have offices, a kitchen, storage and toilets; and the second floor will serve as an evacuation facility and for other uses.
“The main goal of this project is to safeguard our residents from impending disasters while also significantly contributing to our nation’s disaster risk and response system. But these facilities can also be used by the locals as a recreational and sporting venue, which contributes to the creation of a sustainable environment for the present and future generations,” said Sudario.
Faustino, on the other hand, announced that Iloilo City will have additional evacuation centers. He lauded the efforts of Cong. Baronda in materializing the project.
“Nakakainggit kasi we want this in all regions, barangays sa buong Pilipinas. Sad to say, meron pa talangang mga municipalities na wala pa talagang mga evacuation center. Kailangan talaga ang mga eskwelahan hindi na ginagamit bilang evacuation center,” Faustino said.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, Faustino was accompanied by Baronda for an ocular inspection of the seawall along barangays Rizal Estanzuela, Rizal Pala-Pala I and Rizal Pala-Pala II.
The lady solon said they are eyeing to improve this protective barrier to ensure the safety of residents from storm surges./PN
