House bill seeks the construction of refuge, multipurpose gym for every town, city
Published Nov 2, 2019 07:45 pm
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. has sought the construction of a multipurpose gym in every municipality and city to serve as refuge for displaced families in times of calamities and disasters.
Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) He said the country's vulnerability to calamities and disasters should prod the government to construct a multipurpose gym nationwide. "The multipurpose gym should be easily accessible to evacuees and to emergency rescue personnel, and should be kept at a safe distance from danger or hazards," he said. "Construction priority shall be given to third to sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-prone areas,” he pointed out. He filed House Bill No. 4658 mandating the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to undertake the construction of a multipurpose gym in every municipality and city throughout the country. "Under the proposed measure, the multipurpose gym must be able to withstand wind speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least 7.0 magnitude," Villafuerte said. "It must have showers and toilet facilities, must be well ventilated and can accommodate large numbers of evacuees. It must be used flexibly for assemblies, sports events, as sleeping quarters for evacuees, and as clinics in times of evacuations, " he said. Under the proposed "Multipurpose Gym in all Municipalities and Cities Act of 2019", the operation and management of the multipurpose gym shall be under the Office of the Municipal or City Mayor. The bill authorizes the concerned local government units (LGUs) to issue the rules and regulations on the use of the facility and to impose minimal charges as may be necessary for the maintenance and minimal repairs of the facility. The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of the proposed Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DPWH, it said. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the proposed Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, the bill provides. The DPWH is tasked to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act within 30 days from it approval.
Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) He said the country's vulnerability to calamities and disasters should prod the government to construct a multipurpose gym nationwide. "The multipurpose gym should be easily accessible to evacuees and to emergency rescue personnel, and should be kept at a safe distance from danger or hazards," he said. "Construction priority shall be given to third to sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-prone areas,” he pointed out. He filed House Bill No. 4658 mandating the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to undertake the construction of a multipurpose gym in every municipality and city throughout the country. "Under the proposed measure, the multipurpose gym must be able to withstand wind speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least 7.0 magnitude," Villafuerte said. "It must have showers and toilet facilities, must be well ventilated and can accommodate large numbers of evacuees. It must be used flexibly for assemblies, sports events, as sleeping quarters for evacuees, and as clinics in times of evacuations, " he said. Under the proposed "Multipurpose Gym in all Municipalities and Cities Act of 2019", the operation and management of the multipurpose gym shall be under the Office of the Municipal or City Mayor. The bill authorizes the concerned local government units (LGUs) to issue the rules and regulations on the use of the facility and to impose minimal charges as may be necessary for the maintenance and minimal repairs of the facility. The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of the proposed Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DPWH, it said. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the proposed Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, the bill provides. The DPWH is tasked to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the proposed Act within 30 days from it approval.