After the Senate’s approval on third and final reading of the ‘Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act’ (Senate Bill No. 2451), Senator Win Gatchalian said that cities and municipalities across the country are now one step closer to establishing dedicated evacuation centers.

“Sa panahon ng anumang kalamidad, tulad ng bagyong nararanasan ng bansa ngayon, magiging mas madali ang paglikas ng mga apektadong residente kung mayroon silang permanenteng ligtas na matutuluyan. Mas mapapabilis din ang proseso para sa mga lokal na pamahalaan sa pagtiyak ng kaligtasan ng kanilang nasasakupan,” the senator said.  

The proposed measure, which Gatchalian co-authored and co-sponsored, mandates the establishment of evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities, which will provide immediate accommodation for evacuees or people temporarily displaced due to typhoons and other emergencies, including typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fire, and outbreaks of disease, among others.

Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, pointed out that putting up evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities will help end the practice of using classrooms as temporary shelters, which disrupts learning continuity in times of emergencies.

“Kung magpapatayo ang bawat lungsod at munisipalidad ng matatag na mga evacuation center, mapipigilan na ang paggamit sa ating mga silid-paaralan bilang pansamantalang tirahan ng mga nasalanta ng kalamidad,” said Gatchalian.

The proposed measure mandates that evacuation centers should be able to withstand wind speeds of at least 300 kilometers per hour and seismic activity of at least 8.0 magnitude. Evacuation centers should also have facilities such as sleeping quarters for evacuees, separate showers and toilets for men and women, food preparation and dining areas, and women-child-friendly spaces.