DPWH: Regional evacuation center, smart houses ready for Davao Oriental, Cebu quake victims

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday announced that a regional evacuation center and "smart houses" are ready for residents displaced by recent earthquakes that rocked Cebu and Davao Oriental.

In posts on its social media accounts, the DPWH said it has opened a regional evacuation center in Manay, Davao Oriental for the victims of the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 offshore earthquakes that hit the province.

The government agency said the establishment of the regional evacuation center was upon the orders of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to ensure that earthquake victims have safe temporary shelters.

“Nag-deploy din ang DPWH ng isang tanker na may kapasidad na 20,000 litro upang masiguro ang tuloy-tuloy na water supply para sa mga evacuees,” the DPWH said.

(The DPWH also deployed a tanker with a capacity of 20,000 liters to make sure that evacuees have continuous water supply.)

In addition, the DPWH also began installing “smart houses” at the San Remigio Tent City in Cebu in coordination with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which earlier committed to deploy modular shelter units for earthquake victims.

Electric poles were erected to ensure a smooth supply of electricity for the temporary shelters.

“Ang tuloy-tuloy na pagtatayo ng mga pansamantalang tirahan ay ayon sa utos ng Pangulo na masiguro ang maayos at ligtas na kalagayan ng mga pamilyang naapektuhan sunud-sunod na lindol,” the DPWH said.

(The continuous establishment of temporary shelters is in accordance with the President’s orders to ensure that families affected by recent earthquake are safe.)

On Sept. 30, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked northern Cebu, leaving 75 dead.

More than a week later, a magnitude 7.4 offshore earthquake hit Manay, Davao Oriental on Oct. 10 followed by a magnitude 6.8 offshore tremor that same evening.

Marcos has visited both earthquake-hit provinces to deliver aid and check on the welfare of displaced residents. — JMA, GMA Integrated News