Brgys told to build evacuation centers

CEBU, Philippines - A social worker in Central Visayas has called on Talisay City barangays to put up their own evacuation centers that will cater to residents, especially the children.

In a disaster preparedness talk, Grace Yana of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 said residents during disasters will not be required to travel far if evacuation centers are readily available at the barangay level.

"If evacuation centers in the barangays are functional, short transport time will be needed in case of disasters," she said.

Talisay City is composed of 22 barangays.

Vince Monterde, the city's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council officer and Talisay's information officer, admitted there are some barangays that do not have their own evacuation centers and that schools are being used for evacuation everytime a man-made or natural calamity occurs.

Manipis barangay captain Emily Cabiluna said there are areas in her barangay that are prone to landslides and because of this, she has already prepared an evacuation center for residents who may need to be relocated once the soil starts to loosen due to regular rains.

The barangays of Cansojong, Pooc, San Isidro, Tangke and Candulawan have also been tagged as flood-prone areas in Talisay City.

Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, who attended the seminar, encouraged all barangay officials to beef up their respective disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.

Based on the RA 10121, barangay officials are the primary responders during calamities or disasters since they are the authorities "closest to ground zero."

Candulawan barangay captain Josefina Concial asked the mayor for the construction of a riprap structure along a riverbank in her area. She said their barangay only has limited resources for the riprapping work. — (FREEMAN)