Modern regional evacuation center rises in QC
Published Feb 13, 2020 12:00 am
By Ben Rosario
As the calamitous effects of climate change continue to threaten the country with natural disasters, Quezon City prepared for what could be the inevitable by building a modern regional evacuation center for the expected displacement of residents.
Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas
(Alfred Vargas official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Initiated by Rep. Alfred Vargas of the Fifth District, the new evacuation shelter is located in Barangay Fairview, considered a strategic location for being near areas hardest hit by destructive effects of natural disasters. "We are proud to say that we have set the bar high with this facility for other local government units to emulate," said Vargas, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and a senior member of the Committee on Disaster Management. Vargas noted that the city government has been pursuing one of the most advanced disaster prevention and response programs that it was adjudged leading local government in the DRR department. "This is what having a strong political will can do and it reflects in the leadership of Mayor Joy (Belmonte)," he said. He added that the completion of the four-storey facility, a first of its kind in the country, further strengthens and secures Quezon City's place as the top local government in terms of DRR. The new evacuation center in Fairview is a far cry from usual evacuation centers. It has the necessary amenities to make the stay of displaced residents as comfortable as possible and can accommodate up to 156 families. Notably, the center has separate toilets and shower rooms for men and women, infirmary and pharmacy, laundry and drying area, centralized kitchen, stock room for relief goods, breastfeeding room, prayer room, and roof deck. It also has a paging system room with security cameras, generator, garbage segregation facility, wheelchair ramp, elevator, fire alarm system, and fire exit. Vargas said the center is a statement of assurance from the national and local governments that they will always uphold and protect the dignity of Filipinos especially in times of calamity.
Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas(Alfred Vargas official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Initiated by Rep. Alfred Vargas of the Fifth District, the new evacuation shelter is located in Barangay Fairview, considered a strategic location for being near areas hardest hit by destructive effects of natural disasters. "We are proud to say that we have set the bar high with this facility for other local government units to emulate," said Vargas, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and a senior member of the Committee on Disaster Management. Vargas noted that the city government has been pursuing one of the most advanced disaster prevention and response programs that it was adjudged leading local government in the DRR department. "This is what having a strong political will can do and it reflects in the leadership of Mayor Joy (Belmonte)," he said. He added that the completion of the four-storey facility, a first of its kind in the country, further strengthens and secures Quezon City's place as the top local government in terms of DRR. The new evacuation center in Fairview is a far cry from usual evacuation centers. It has the necessary amenities to make the stay of displaced residents as comfortable as possible and can accommodate up to 156 families. Notably, the center has separate toilets and shower rooms for men and women, infirmary and pharmacy, laundry and drying area, centralized kitchen, stock room for relief goods, breastfeeding room, prayer room, and roof deck. It also has a paging system room with security cameras, generator, garbage segregation facility, wheelchair ramp, elevator, fire alarm system, and fire exit. Vargas said the center is a statement of assurance from the national and local governments that they will always uphold and protect the dignity of Filipinos especially in times of calamity.