NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo R. Duterte expressed optimism on Monday that the new evacuation centers, which are presently providing temporary refuge for residents displaced by the eruption of the Taal Volcano, will be of “great assistance” to all Filipinos affected before another tragedy strikes.

“Now that we are facing hardships brought on by the recent eruptions of the Taal Volcano, I am convinced that the Mataasnakahoy evacuation facility will be of great help to our affected kababayans,” Duterte stated after viewing the evacuation center in Mataasnakahoy, Batangas.

The Mataasnakahoy evacuation facility is one of three strategically positioned evacuation facilities outside of a Taal Volcano’s danger zone. The other two are in the Santa Teresita and Alitagtag municipalities.

During a disaster, each evacuation hub can accommodate 150 families or 600 people.

Duterte praised those who worked on the evacuation centers’ construction, saying the facilities would not have been completed without their “passion” and dedication.

He expressed his delight in the government’s opening of several establishments and inauguration of structures “that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.”

“We’ve also institutionalized long-term solutions for our kababayans without needing to politicize our mandate as public employees,” he added.

He also voiced optimism that the government will be able to keep the momentum going in the direction of making the country “better and more resilient” for everyone.

“Now that I’m nearing the end of my presidency, we’re seeing how our shared ideals and goal for growth and prosperity are coming to fruition. We can overcome all types of difficulties and problems that test our character with our power and unity,” he added.

“The bayanihan spirit burns even hotter in the hearts of Filipinos amid difficult times,” according to Duterte.

Mataasnakahoy, Santa Teresita, and Alitagtag all have evacuation centers with important amenities and facilities.

On March 21, Secretary Eduardo del Rosario of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) supervised the inauguration and handover of Batangas’ three evacuation facilities to their respective local government units (LGUs).

The evacuation center was built barely over a year after the DHSUD signed a memorandum of understanding for a grant to develop the facilities in three Batangas municipalities that will be touched by the Taal Volcano eruption in 2020 but are not in the danger zone.

“The technical specification of these evacuation centers was based on the design of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and was duly approved by the President himself when I submitted it to the Cabinet back in 2018,” del Rosario said at a press conference.

Each site has a total floor space of 1,451 square meters and includes amenities such as a storage room, kitchen and mess hall, play area, health and consultation clinic, prayer room, conference room, lactation area, basketball court, separate female and male comfort rooms, and rooms for couples.

There are additionally 40 bathrooms, 22 shower rooms, and nine urinal facilities for men and women that are proportionally separated and segregated.

Each open area may also fit around 106 modular tents.

The three evacuation centers — Barangay Calayaan, Sta. Teresita; Barangay San Juan, Alitagtag; and Barangay Dos, Mataasnakahoy — are strategically positioned on safe ground beyond the 14-kilometer danger zones.

“It was supported with monies from the socialized balance housing compliance program to fill in the gaps for housing settlements and community development,” del Rosario explained.

The government’s response to the Taal Volcano eruption in January 2020, he claimed, included the development projects.

According to him, the DSHUD is already working on land development for resettlement sites in five towns to accommodate families who were displaced by the previous eruption.

The National Housing Authority had already allocated 585 housing units to displaced families.

Duterte oversaw the provision of assistance to families affected by the Taal Volcano eruption who are currently living at the Agoncillo Central School in Batangas after visiting the Mataasnakahoy evacuation center.

Although Taal Volcano continues to show signs of activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology declared on Monday that it does not expect it to explode like it did in 2020.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the ongoing unrest has affected 2,047 households or 7,237 people in 18 Batangas communities as of March 31.

The Taal Volcano is still on Alert Level 3 following its phreatomagmatic eruption on March 26.

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