Philippines needs permanent evacuation centers – Eleazar

MANILA, Philippines — The construction of permanent evacuation centers in the communities should be planned by the government to address the lack of facilities for victims of calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes.

Senatorial aspirant Gen. Guillermo Eleazar made the proposal after noticing the lack of evacuation centers for victims of Typhoon Odette.

Eleazar lamented that some of the victims had to be sheltered in covered courts or barangay halls while others stayed in classrooms during the typhoon.

“We cannot take away the fact that many typhoons pass our country each year, so we have to focus on preparing for these. Once elected, I will push in the Senate the establishment of strong and orderly evacuation centers where people can go during a typhoon or an earthquake,” he said in Filipino.

He said the Department of Public Works and Highways should be allocated with a specific budget for the construction of permanent evacuation centers.

“It’s better if we can have an evacuation facility in each city or municipality so we don’t have to use schools or basketball courts,” Eleazar, former national police chief, said.