The Department of Public Works and Highways will construct a P34-million earthquake and typhoon-proof evacuation center in Western Visayas, one of the most exposed province in the country from strong and powerful typhoons.
Public Works Region 6 director Wenceslao Leaño Jr. said the the evacuation center will be built in the highland barangay of Milibili in Roxas City, Capiz and is slated to be completed next year to cater the public when the need arises.
“We are constructing the evacuation center on a stable foundation that even strong winds and rain cannot easily destroy the building. It is also being built on a slope which makes it flood-proof,” Leaño said.
The Region 6 evacuation center will have a 2-storey accommodation building complete with a prayer room, communication area, and a storage room convertible to a play area.
The project also includes separate male and female toilets and bathroom, generator room, pump room, laundry and drying area, as well as a materials recovery facility.
In addition, the center will have infirmary building that will serve as hospital for the sick or injured evacuees, with pharmacy and an office for Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and Office of the Civil Defense.
Director Leaño added that the area will have standard ramps, persons with disability comfort rooms and wheelchair access ways for PWD evacuees.
Meanwhile, a newly widened bridge along Palo-Carigara-Ormoc Road in Barangay Jugaban, Carigara, Leyte has been opened by the DPWH.
Public works Secretary Mark Villar said the P4.6-million Jugaban Bridge widening and strengthening project has been completed as scheduled by the DPWH Leyte Second District Engineering Office.
“The project which widened the bridge from two lanes to four lanes now facilitate smoother and more convenient travel to locals and visitors of the province,” he said.
“Jugaban Bridge is one vital bridge along Palo-Carigara-Ormoc Road which is among the busiest highways connecting two key cities in Leyte -Tacloban and Ormoc,” the DPWH official said.