CLARK FREEPORT – Gov. Lilia G. Pineda said the construction of a permanent evacuation center in San Isidro in Magalang town has been completed, while relocation sites in San Jose , Floridablanca and Tangle, Mexico are “in the works.”
In a speech read for her by Board Member Rosve Henson during the two-day workshop on the role of science in disaster preparedness here, Pineda admitted that “one province alone will find it difficult to provide immediate, speedy and comprehensive solutions to the complex problems of rescue, relief, and rehabilitation works after a calamity of major proportions such as Supertyphoon Yolanda.”
The workshop was held at the Oxford Hotel here by the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Interior and Local Governments, and the Office of Civil Defense, under the theme “Iba na ang Panahon” to highlight the threats from the effects of climate change.
“The provincial government is doing its best in preparing a contingency plan that can address the requirements of a large scale calamity by establishing a strong networking system with the Office of Civil Defense headed by Regional Director Josefi na Timoteo, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army,” she said.
Pineda reported that apart from the permanent evacuation centers, “we are upgrading many barangay covered courts in the province to be used as temporary evacuation centers during times of disasters.”
“We are also fortifying various dikes in Pampanga in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways,” she added. Pineda also noted continuing trainings in disaster management “such as fire and earthquake drills as well as water search and rescue operations.”
