The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed another evacuation center project complete with facilities in the city of Sta. Rosa, Laguna Province.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar, together with Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, Laguna 1st District Rep. Arlene Arcillas, Sta. Rosa City Mayor Danilo Ramon Fernandez, and DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut led its inauguration and turnover ceremony on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Barangay Tagapo, Sta Rosa City.
According to Secretary Villar, the P34.74-million Sta. Rosa Evacuation Center houses a 2-storey accommodation building which can cater to 33 families or 132 persons displaced by calamities.
“In cooperation with the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the local government, and other concerned agencies, we were able to build this evacuation center in a safe site here in Barangay Tagapo. This will be vital in keeping the people of Sta. Rosa protected in times of disasters,” said Secretary Villar.
The site was certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as less vulnerable to predetermined hazards like landslides and floods.
The center has facilities such as areas for dining, food preparation and dishwashing, rooms for prayer, breastfeeding and communication, a storage area, lobby and toilets.
DPWH has also built a 2-storey building to serve as an infirmary, pharmacy, porch and waiting area, as well as offices of Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Two (2) separate single-storey toilet and bath buildings for male and female, a 3-storey laundry, drying and water tank building, single-story disposal building, pump room, and generator room, three (3) septic vaults, one (1) cistern tank and 200kVA generator set, two (2) water pumps, and two (2) 3,000-gallon capacity water tanks were also constructed and installed in the evacuation center.
“These facilities were built to ensure that evacuees will have everything they need in order to remain safe and resilient and promptly recover from any calamity without casualty,” said Secretary Villar.