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Evacuation centers

Need to set up permanent evacuation centers

HOPEFULLY, the massive destruction wrought by two recent typhoons has steeled the determination of lawmakers to push for the passage of a legislation setting up permanent evacuation centers in the country.

These are Typhoons Goni, known in the country as Super Typhoon Rolly, the world’s strongest cyclone this year and one of the most intense howlers on record,and Ulysses (international name Vamco).

Note that there are two bills now pending consideration in the 24-member Philippine Senate which call for the establishment of a permanent evacuation center in every city, municipality and province.

Senate Bills (SB) 747 and 1228 are authored by Senators Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian of Valenzuela City and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Tesoro Go of Davao City, respectively.

The destruction must also encourage other members of Congress – senators and congressmen – and the rest of the Filipino people, to pick up the ball and support the swift approval of the proposed legislation.

In filing SB 747, Senator Gatchalian said the use of school buildings as temporary shelters during national emergencies, like typhoons and flooding, delays the resumption of classes.

Gatchalian is chairman of the highly-influential Senate committee on basic education, arts and culture.

His bill also sets the minimum requirements for every evacuation center that will be established, including its location, structural capacity, suitability and capacity of premises and amenities.

Go, a close friend of President Duterte, said permanent evacuation centers will guarantee the evacuees’ safety, promote their social well-being and ensure their welfare while they rebuild their homes and lives.

Likewise, the senator from Davao City is seen to devote his time in crafting landmark pieces of legislation aimed at meeting the mushrooming needs of the people, notably the unfortunate members of society.