The Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Luzon (DPWH 3) has completed the construction of three multi-purpose evacuation centers in Dingalan town, Aurora province that will serve as temporary shelters in times of calamities.

With a total worth of PHP29.5 million, the new facilities are located in Barangays Butas na Bato, Matawe and Umiray.

DPWH Regional Director Roseller Tolentino said on Tuesday that the construction of multi-purpose evacuation centers in the three villages was prioritized to strengthen the emergency response and recovery efforts of the local government during calamities.

Tolentino said the three barangays are among the seven flood-prone areas in Dingalan, which is frequently visited by strong typhoons.

The two-level evacuation centers can also serve as venues for meetings and other barangay activities, he noted.

Each evacuation center has an open area, comfort rooms, kitchen and laundry area.

There are also spaces for a clinic, administrative office, and lying-in room.

A generator set will be installed in each of the facilities to ensure an uninterrupted power supply during outages.

Anthony Macatingrao, a resident of Barangay Umiray, thanked the government, particularly the DPWH for the evacuation center, saying they no longer have to worry in case of typhoons.

“Sa panahon pong nakaraan, wala pa pong evacuation center sa school kami po pansamantalang nanunuluyan. Pero sa ngayon po, ito po evacuation center ay napakalaking pakinabang (In the past years, there was no evacuation center, we temporarily stayed in schools. But now, this evacuation center will give big benefits),” Macatingrao said in a local news report.

Diane Agustin, a resident of Barangay Matawe, is likewise thankful that they now have a secure place to go to during typhoons.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami kasi before ay kung saan saan kami tumatakbo sa panahon ng kalamidad. Sa ngayon, meron na kaming shelter. Maraming salamat po sa pagbibigay ng proyekto para sa bayan ng Dingalan (We are thankful because before we used to go anywhere in time of calamities. Now, we have a shelter. Thank you very much for providing projects for the town of Dingalan ),” Agustin said.

In September 2022, some 200 families were displaced and over 6,000 houses were damaged in Dingalan’s 11 barangays due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding (Noru). (PNA)