EVACUATION CENTER. A regional evacuation center in Alaminos City, Pangasinan has been inaugurated and formally turned over to the city government by the Office of the Civil Defense on July 3, 2019. The center, which has complete amenities, can accommodate up to 500 individuals. (Photo courtesy of Alaminos City LGU)
ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- A two-storey regional evacuation center at Barangay Tangcarang here, which would cater to residents of the first and second districts of Pangasinan, was inaugurated and formally turned-over to the city government here on Wednesday.
Mike Sabado, information officer of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 1 (Ilocos), said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) funded PHP36 million to establish the center, which was initiated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the OCD.
“It aims to serve the disaster-affected populations in Alaminos City and nearby towns. This will also hinder the use of schools as evacuation centers,” Sabado said in an interview Friday.
He said the center is situated on a 3,757.5-square meter land owned by the city government.
Mylene Manalastas, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said the evacuation center is “very much appreciated” by the city government, that would complement its existing permanent evacuation center.
“It can accommodate 500 individuals from Alaminos City or neighboring towns and cities. It has laundry area, material recovery facility area, electrical room, mess room, breastfeeding station, among others,” she said in a separate interview.
Manalastas added it can also be used for other purposes other than being an evacuation center.
“We will hold trainings in the center, or even our youth camp since we are told to maximize its use,” she said.
The city government also signed a memorandum of agreement with the barangay council of Tangcarang for the maintenance of the center.
More than nine regional evacuation centers have been constructed all over the region, according to OCD-1. (PNA)
