Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said he would push for the construction of disaster-resilient evacuation centers around the country in preparation for future calamities should he be elected as president.

During a radio interview with RMN-DXBC Butuan on Wednesday, Dec. 29, Domagoso was asked what he would do as president to mitigate the effects of future calamities especially following the recent damage caused by super typhoon “Odette.”

“Yung bagyo, bahagi na ng buhay natin dahil sa lugar ng ating bansa sa mundo. ‘Yung lindol magiging bahagi din ng buhay natin dahil nandun tayo sa linyada eh, kumbaga Pacific rim of fire, ‘yung bulkan, oo. Marami rin tayong bulkan. So, maigi na magkaroon talaga ng pagpaplano na magtatag ng mga gusali na doon lang nakalaan (Typhoons are a part of our life now because of our geographic location. Earthquakes also because we are in the Pacific ring of fire. So it’s important to plan and construct buildings to serve as evacuation centers),” said Domagoso.

Aside from the construction of evacuation centers, Domagoso also proposed a mass housing program as a potential solution to disaster response.

“Plus, I think it’s high time, katulad nung ginawa nating housing, in-city vertical housing. Mga batong bahay. Kasi kailangan talaga bato dahil yung sinasabi ko nga sa inyo, yung bagyo it’s always there (Like what we did with in-city vertical housing . Concrete houses. Concrete housing is necessary because typhoons will always be here),” said Domagoso.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), a total of 397 casualties, 1,147 injuries, and 83 missing persons have been reported due to typhoon Odette.