The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has finalized separate agreements with the local governments of Marinduque and Leyte that will pave the way for the construction of more evacuation centers in the two provinces.
DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario and Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr. signed on Friday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of evacuation facilities slated to soon rise in Mogpog and Torrijos towns in Marinduque.
The facilities are part of the DHSUD’s commitment to establish sustainable and safe Filipino communities nationwide, as well as boost the country’s overall disaster preparedness, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters and other calamities, Del Rosario said.
“This agreement is part of the (province’s) Physical Framework Plan (finalized) way back last year. Through the joint efforts of the Department, and the Marinduque LGU, establishing evacuation centers in Mogpog and Torrijos will definitely play a huge role in boosting the province’s disaster preparedness,” Del Rosario said.
“We are thankful for the province of Marinduque for giving us this opportunity of providing assistance,” the housing czar added.
For his part, Velasco thanked the government for its support through DHSUD, saying the evacuation centers will be pivotal in saving people’s lives in times of calamities.
“We, of course, know that Bicol is the gateway of storms and typhoons but sometimes they visit also the province of Marinduque. In the past, we bared witness the province being directly hit by super typhoons Rolly and Quinta and likewise Ulysses, which have brought much damage to our province,” Velasco stressed.
“This grant for the evacuation centers … will surely help us in saving lives,” he noted.
Del Rosario also signed a similar accord with Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, with the housing czar reiterating DHSUD’s all-out support in helping local government units further bolster measures to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change.
The MOA will pave the way for the construction of three evacuation centers in Palo, Hilongos, and San Isidro—all of which were previously battered by strong typhoons.
Petilla, in response, expressed gratitude to the department for the upcoming facilities that he said would be of great help to the Leyteños, especially those still reeling from the adverse impact of previous typhoons.