The Department of Public Works and Highways yesterday disclosed that more evacuation centers would be built this year following the recent directive of President Duterte.
Duterte had earlier ordered the construction of more evacuation centers in disaster-prone areas amid the Taal Volcano eruption.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said they are constructing more than 200 evacuation centers this year. However, he added they can construct more if they will be given more budget.
“Madadagdagan po ‘yun if we get additional budget. But ‘yung iba siguro hindi rin matatapos sa loob ng isang taon but we’ll do our best to build as many as we can within the year,” he said.
Villar said they have allocated at least two evacuation centers for each province this year.
Duterte had earlier urged Congress to allocate funds for the construction of evacuation centers in disaster-prone areas, including the areas near Taal Volcano, as the legislative works on a supplemental budget for the victims of the eruption.
“In the meantime that we are expecting another eruption mas mabuti na lang na umpisahan na rin ang evacuation center,” Duterte said. “Dagdagan na lang, gawin nilang P50 (billion) para mag tayo ng evacuation center,” he added.
Villar said there is really a need for more evacuation centers because of the number of evacuees.
“Sa dami rin ng mga evacuees, we need more. So ‘yan po yung sinasabi ni President na kailangan pa nating dagdagan and there are moves at this point to increase the budget,” he said. “Tingin ko io-augment nila yung budget sa evacuation centers,” he added.
Villar said they could also use the additional budget to augment their quick response fund and the maintenance of existing buildings to enable them to respond immediately to calamities. (Argyll Geducos)