The national government will build evacuation centers that can withstand any kind of disaster, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said, highlighting the need for such structures in a country like the Philippines that is often besieged by calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

This was revealed during the third quarter full council meeting of the NDRRMC on Thursday, Sept. 28, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

"One of the highlights of discussion was the status and enhanced design of evacuation centers. It can be recalled that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the importance of building resilient evacuation centers in his last State of the Nation Address to ensure the safety of the public in times of emergency," the NDRRMC said.

The NDRRMC said the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been spearheading efforts for developing an improved design of the evacuation center, as well as its prioritization mechanism through risk-based assessments; considerations and updates on location and site suitability, structural and building capacity, and minimum design standards (menu of conceptual design standards).

Calls for the establishment of permanent evacuation centers have been raised as oftentimes, displaced residents in times of calamities are housed in temporary shelters such as covered courts, schools, and multi-purpose buildings.

Last year, Senate Bill No. 940 or the "Evacuation Center Act" was filed in the Senate seeking to establish evacuation centers in all cities nationwide.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr., who also serves as the chairperson of the NDRRMC, spearheaded the council meeting and emphasized the importance of cooperation and harmonization of effort by the council in the implementation and enhancement of DRRM programs, policies, and guidelines.

Teodoro said the proposed improved design of the evacuation center is still subject for finalization of concerned government agencies.

Further, the NDRRMC also tackled and approved amendments to three memorandum circulars on DRRM namely NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No. 64, s. 2021 or the Guidelines on the Accreditation and Protection of Community Disaster Volunteers; Memorandum Circular on the Guidelines on Mainstreaming DRRM in Health (DRRM-H) in Local Development; and Memorandum Circular No. 110, s. 2021 or the Revised Guidelines on the Administration of the NDRRM Fund.

"The enhanced guidelines tackled during the meeting will be disseminated to concerned stakeholders for implementation," the NDRRMC said.