The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) conferred with other stakeholders in the implementation of the guidelines and minimum standards for permanent evacuation centers for the local government units (LGUs).

During the consultation meeting, Marqueza L. Reyes, Technical Lead of the Disaster Risk Reduction Enhancement at the Local Level-Technical Assistance (DRREALL-TA), presented the background of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs and safety of vulnerable sectors, such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWD), in building local infrastructure such as permanent evacuation centers. 

In the activity, Project Architect and Urban Planning Expert Ar. Amillah Rodil and Gender Expert Shebana Alqaseer, also presented the salient points of the draft of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum Circular.

The DILG-NCR noted that the memorandum includes the location requirements, general structure and design standards, space requirements, and utility systems requirements. 

It was also noted that the stakeholder consultation forms part of the DILG’s initiatives under the DRREALL-TA, a project being implemented by Expertise France as part of the DRREALL, a policy-based support program and a long-term partnership between Agence Francaise de Developpement and the Philippine government.

“The development of inclusive minimum standards for permanent evacuation centers contributes to achieving the project’s objective of strengthening DRRM-CCA capacities at the national and local levels, particularly by promoting gender-sensitive and socially inclusive approaches to disaster response within LGUs,’’ the DILG asserted.

DILG-NCR Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin underscored the importance of improving the draft implementing guidelines, standards, and prototype designs to support the development of comprehensive and inclusive minimum standards for evacuation centers, as part of the department’s efforts to build quality shelters for disaster-affected communities.

“Collaborations like this are the backbone of local infrastructure development, as we need more and more actors in accelerating our efforts to achieve resilience in the disaster risk reduction sector,” Agustin said.

The meeting was also graced by Director Alfonso A. Maralli, Jr., of the DILG Office of Project Development Services (OPDS).