Two new evacuation centers to rise in Batangas for Taal evacuees

Two new evacuation centers will soon rise in Batangas which can temporarily house Taal evacuees, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said on Saturday.

This was after groundbreaking for the two centers was held on Friday.

The evacuation centers will be located in Barangay Calayaan in the municipality of Sta. Teresita and Barangay San Juan in the municipality of Alitagtag.

DHSUD Secretary Eduardo del Rosario led the groundbreaking and the signing of memoranda of agreement for the two centers. Batangas 3rd District Representative Maitet Collantes, Sta.Teresita Mayor Norberto Segunial Jr. and Alitagtag Mayor Edilberto Ponggos were also at the event.

“This is a very important project, especially for Batangas, because the Taal (volcano) will always be like that. It is one of the most active volcanos in the world. Kaya itong evacuation center ay kailangang maitayo (This evacuation center needs to be constructed) because it will be used as long as it (Taal) still stands,” del Rosario said during the groundbreaking in Sta. Teresita.

“I hope this building will provide shelter to evacuees for at least 50 years. So kailangan ang standard mapanatili natin (So we need to maintain the standards),” he said.

Almost two months ago, DHSUD and Batangas local government units signed the Taal Commitment Agreement which stipulates the construction of three evacuation centers.

The DHSUD said aside from the evacuation centers to rise in Sta. Teresita and Alitagtag, there is another one being constructed in the municipality of Mataasnakahoy. Groundbreaking for this third evacuation center was held two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the DHSUD said del Rosario signed a MOA on Friday for the acquisition of land in Mataasnakahoy which will be used as resettlement site for families displaced by the Taal Volcano eruption last January 2020.

National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council executive director Ricardo Jalad on Saturday said they are preparing for the evacuation of 500,000 individuals in case a “violent eruption" occurs in Taal Volcano.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Taal Volcano on Saturday as it continues emitting sulfur dioxide and steam-rich plumes. —KG, GMA News