Gatchalian files bill for permanent evacuation centers

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian supports the measure for the establishment of permanent, disaster-resilient evacuation centers, especially in municipalities and cities prone to natural calamities.

He filed Senate Bill No. 747, which seeks to institutionalize the creation of structurally sound evacuation centers capable of withstanding wind speeds of up to 320 kph and seismic activity of magnitude 7.2.

Gatchalian emphasized that these facilities should be built to move beyond using public schools and basketball courts as temporary shelters during calamities.

He believes investing in such infrastructure, along with sophisticated early warning systems, is crucial for emergency preparedness and reducing casualties, citing Super Typhoon Yolanda as a past lesson.

House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Isagani Zarate reiterated his call for the passage of House Bill No. 5259, the Evacuation Centers bill, noting that some COVID-19 patients are occupying usual evacuation centers.