PAGCOR allots P2B to build permanent evacuation centers

State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) is allocating around P2 billion to build permanent evacuation centers to be used in times of calamities.

PAGCOR said its Multipurpose Evacuation Center (MPEC) project will be built in various parts of the country which will be used to accommodate victims of calamities such as supertyphoons, floods and volcanic eruptions, as well as for other community endeavors.

The gaming regulator said it has identified 11 sites nationwide where the permanent evacuation centers will be constructed.

"Following ocular inspections and evaluation of the locations identified as calamity-prone, PAGCOR submitted the list of the areas to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ascertain the implementation of the project," it said.

"This is the latest development in one of the agency’s major plans in fulfillment of its mandate to help uplift the lives of the Filipinos," it added.

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian ang Bong Go filed separate measures for the establishment of a permanent evacuation center in every municipality, city, and province in the country. 

In July 2019, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill No. 747 or “An Act Establishing Evacuation Centers in Every Municipality and City, Providing For The Necessary Facilities, Ensuring Their Structural Capacity, and Appropriating Funds.

Go, who accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte in his visit to Taal evacuees in Batangas, said it is only necessary to build permanent evacuation centers nationwide to ensure the safety of Filipinos in times of natural calamities and other disasters given the  geographic location of the country.

Go earlier filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 1228 or “An Act Establishing a Mandatory Evacuation Center in all Cities, Provinces and Municipalities, Appropriating Funds Therefor.” — RSJ, GMA News