Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino highlighted the significance of having provincial evacuation centers that could help accommodate displaced communities in times of disaster.

Amid the massive flooding and landslides sweeping several localities in Bicol due to tropical cyclone Kristine, Tolentino said the “presence of provincial evacuation centers gives local governments and rescuers more options where to safely bring evacuees.”

During his regular radio program, Gremil Alexis Naz, information officer of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol, reported to Tolentino that the region’s provincial evacuation centers are actively being used in rescue and relief efforts.

Bicol is among the country’s most disaster-prone regions due to its geophysical location, which is often hit by typhoons, as well as the presence of active volcanoes.

It should be noted that as early as 2022, Tolentino had initiated the construction of provincial evacuation centers in Camarines Norte (Vinzons), Camarines Sur (Pamplona), Sorsogon (Juban), Masbate (Pio V. Corpuz), and Catanduanes (Bagamanoc) through the national budget.

Several areas in Bicol are experiencing the worst flooding in years after Kristine unleashed heavy rainfall over the region since Tuesday.

Asked by Tolentino how soon relief operations could be undertaken, Naz said that this would depend on how fast the rains and floods would subside to allow access to roads and bridges leading to disaster-stricken communities.

“Many groups are ready to extend assistance, and I encourage organizations and individuals who want to help to coordinate with our government agencies to facilitate relief efforts for our affected kababayans in Bicol,” the senator said.