The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently turned over an evacuation center for emergency purposes built in the amount of P37.4 million in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur during emergencies.
Secretary Mark A. Villar, citing a report from DPWH Region 13 Director Pol M. Delos Santos said that the facility consists of a 2-storey accommodation building, 2-storey infirmary building, laundry area, male and female toilets, materials recovery facility (MRF) and provision of generator set and transformer.
“The new modern evacuation facility is an answered prayer for the residents of Esperanza whose lives are always at risk due to natural disaster, and now, the COVID-19 pandemic”, added Secretary Villar.
Prior to completion, the facility was used as a store room for relief goods and equipment as well as isolation area for suspected covid-19 patients and returning overseas Filipinos subjected to mandatory quarantine..
By the end of 2020, the evacuation facility was vacated and cleared to give way for the formal establishment of the Office of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (MDRRMC).
Thus, the facility is now the Operation and Evacuation Center of the Municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.