Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (Senate PRIB)

Following the passage of his pet measure, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said cities and municipalities across the country are now one step closer to having dedicated evacuation centers.

This, after the upper chamber approved Senate Bill (SB) No. 2451, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, on third and final reading.

Gatchalian, who co-authored and co-sponsored the bill, said it mandates the establishment of evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities.

He said this would provide immediate accommodation for evacuees or people temporarily displaced from their homes due to typhoons and other emergencies.

“Sa panahon ng anumang kalamidad, tulad ng bagyong nararanasan ng bansa ngayon, magiging mas madali ang paglikas ng mga apektadong residente kung mayroon silang permanenteng ligtas na matutuluyan,” the senator said, referring to Super Typhoon Julian.

(During any disaster, like the typhoon the country is experiencing right now, it will be easier for affected residents to evacuate if they have a permanent safe shelter.)

“Mas mapapabilis din ang proseso para sa mga lokal na pamahalaan sa pagtiyak ng kaligtasan ng kanilang nasasakupan,” he noted. 

(It will also speed up the process for local governments in ensuring the safety of their constituents.)

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, pointed out that establishing permanent evacuation sites will help put an end to the practice of using classrooms as temporary shelters.

He said this practice often disrupts learning continuity in times of emergencies.

SB No. 2451 mandates that evacuation centers should be able to withstand wind speeds of at least 300 kilometers per hour and seismic activity of at least 8.0 magnitude. 

The measure also requires construction of facilities such as sleeping quarters for evacuees, separate showers and toilets for men and women, food preparation and dining areas, and women-child-friendly spaces.