DSWD wants one evacuation center per municipality to avoid class disruption

FILE PHOTO: Evacuees follow physical distancing rule as a precaution against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This virus causes COVID-19, while inside evacuation centers where they stayed during the onslaught of typhoon Ambo. INQUIRER Visayas file photo / Rachel Arnaiz

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday asked for one evacuation center for each municipality across the country, so classes in schools will not be interrupted whenever there is a calamity.

During the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) briefing on Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru), DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo explained to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the importance of such a setup.

“Ang isa pang hinihingi namin, sir… We really need to have an evacuation center in every municipality, lalo na po ‘yung mga typhoon- at flood-prone areas,” he told Marcos, who presided over the briefing.

(Another thing that we’re asking, sir… We really need an evacuation center in every municipality, especially those in typhoons and flood-prone areas.)

“Kasi ‘pag maganda na ang panahon, may araw na, nandu’n pa rin ang mga evacuees dahil nasira ang bahay nila. So, ‘yung mga estudyante magsisiksikan sa ibang classrooms,” Tulfo pointed out.

(Because the weather is already good, the evacuees are still there because their houses are damaged. So, the students are cramped in other classrooms.)

As of  5 a.m. on Monday, more than 19,000 households were evacuated due to Karding.

Marcos then asked Tulfo if they could make a study to find out how long evacuees whose houses were destroyed or damaged by a typhoon stay in evacuation centers before returning to their homes.

But Tulfo immediately answered that evacuees with partially-damaged houses stay three to four days in evacuation centers before returning home.

“‘Yung mga nawalan lang po ng bubong – usually, bubong, sir, ang nawawala – usually three, four days, sir. ‘Pag nabigyan na po natin ng AIC (Assistance to Individuals/Families in Crisis), ‘yung family nakakabili po sila ng materyales,” he said.

(Those who just lost their roofs – usually roofs fly – usually three, four days, sir. Then, when we give them their AIC, the family can buy materials.)

NDRRMC’s latest report shows no house has sustained damage from Karding’s onslaught.

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