Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Inaugurates First Evacuation Facility in Northern Samar
When severe weather conditions hit low-lying communities in Northern Samar, residents are often forced to abandon their homes and seek safer ground.
In an effort to mitigate the loss of lives during natural disasters, PAGCOR officially opened its first multi-purpose evacuation facility in Catarman’s Barangay Polangi on November 10.
This two-story building, costing Php50 million, is the largest evacuation structure in the area, which is frequently affected by displacement during calamities.
Catarman Mayor Francisco Aurelio E. Rosales III expressed his gratitude for the new facility and highlighted the importance of PAGCOR’s partnership.
The lack of evacuation facilities poses a significant challenge for the local government. Catarman Municipal Risk Reduction Officer Emerald Guevarra spoke about the town’s limited resources and the increasing difficulty of disaster response due to global warming.
The construction of safe shelters is a priority for the Catarman LGU, but funding has been a hindrance. The PAGCOR-funded evacuation center in Barangay Polangi is a game changer and allows for a larger capacity and comfortable facilities.
PAGCOR is also constructing two-story evacuation facilities in Maslog and Borongan with Php50 million in funding for each.
Currently, 36 PAGCOR evacuation facilities have been completed nationwide, with 36 more under construction.
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PAGCOR, evacuation facility, Northern Samar, disaster response, calamities, Catarman, Barangay Polangi, local government, funding, safe shelters, capacity.