The chair of the Senate committee on health and demography on Monday underscored the importance of evacuation centers as temporary shelters of disaster-hit villagers nationwide.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said in a statement evacuation centers in every city, municipality and province will ensure the safety and welfare of families who are affected by natural or man-made calamities.
In a video message delivered to 355 victims of fire and landslide in Talisay City, Cebu, who recently received government aid, Go reiterated his call for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1228, otherwise known as the “Mandatory Evacuation Center Act”, which aims to ensure that affected families have access to safe and comfortable shelters in times of emergencies.
Filed in 2019, the proposed measure sets minimum requirements for every evacuation center, such as its location, amenities, and standard operating procedure, among others.
“When disaster strikes, it is the poor who suffer. We need to build dedicated evacuation centers that have basic facilities and adequate emergency supplies, such as water, medicine and relief goods, so that they will no longer jam-pack in covered courts or schools,” Go said in mixed English and Filipino.
A government team distributed grocery packs, snacks and masks to disaster victims at the respective gymnasiums of Barangays Bulacao and Jaclupan.
In addition, they extended financial assistance to the fire victims and provided select recipients with computer tablets, bicycles and new pairs of shoes.
As part of the government’s disaster response, representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development provided separate financial assistance to the victims.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Authority assessed potential beneficiaries for its Emergency Housing Assistance Program.
Go, however, cited the local government unit (LGU) officials for their quick response to help their constituents in recovering from impact of the disasters even amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis. (PNA)
