The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has endorsed the plan of the local government here to establish a regional evacuation center in the city government-owned property in Barangay Sooc in Arevalo district.

During its blended (face-to-face and virtual) regular session on Tuesday, the local council passed a resolution endorsing the intended project after a series of meetings following the submission of the letter of intent to the SP by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on May 3, 2021.

The city government acted in response to the information from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that PHP36 million fund was allocated under the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the establishment of an evacuation center in Western Visayas.

“Iloilo City’s vulnerability to climatic hazards only magnifies the expedient need for the construction of an evacuation center,” said Treñas in his endorsement.

There are no alternate or viable evacuation sites with the exclusive ownership of the city government, he added.

Also together with the DPWH, they consider the increased structural developments in adjacent Barangay Sooc, Mandurriao in the Comprehensive Urban Drainage Improvement Program, the mayor added.

In his endorsement, the mayor assured that appropriate engineering intervention measures will be implemented.

“The following reasons enumerated on the letter request for reconsideration of City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, emphasized the necessity and highlighted the justification and viability of establishing an evacuation center at Barangay Sooc, Arevalo,” the report of the committee on social services and disaster relief chaired by Councilor Lady Julie Grace L. Baronda said. (PNA)