Duterte wants more evacuation centers built before term ends

MANILA, Philippines — Following the eruption of Taal Volcano, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday called for the construction of more evacuation centers in disaster-prone areas before his term ends in 2022.

Duterte said he would want a “simultaneous” building of evacuation areas with provinces like Samar, Leyte, and Isabela prioritized.

“You should prioritize this. You build a very strong evacuation center,” Duterte, speaking partly in Filipino, told top government officials during a situation briefing on the eruption held in Batangas City.

“I hope that you can finish it before my term ends… Do not start projects which you cannot finish beyond my term. I want projects that are doable and can be finished doing my term,” he added.

Duterte visited Batangas City two days after it was greatly affected by the phreatic, steam-driven, eruption episode of Taal Volcano last Sunday.

He earlier apologized for not being able to visit the areas affected immediately, saying ashfall prevented him from flying back to Manila from Davao City.

/atm