Mon| 02.20.2023 | 8:00 AM

Edwin Tularam and his family are among the residents of Milaor, Camarines Sur who are assured of a safe evacuation facility in times of calamities after PAGCOR's Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center was finally completed in their town.

The newly-built PAGCOR Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center in Milaor, Camarines Sur will now serve as a safe haven for the town's vulnerable and flood-prone communities.

PAGCOR officials led by Corporate Social Responsibility Group Vice President Ramon Stephen R. Villaflor (5th from right) turn over the ceremonial key of the new Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center to Milaor Mayor Anthony R. Reyes (3rd from right) together with some local officials and residents.

MILAOR, Camarines Sur – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) gave renewed hope to the locals of this flood-prone town after it unveiled on February 17, 2023 the newly constructed two-storey multi-purpose evacuation center (MPEC) in the town's Brgy. Maydaso.

According to Milaor Mayor Anthony R. Reyes, the new evacuation facility in their town assured the safety of his constituents as well as the locals in neighboring towns during typhoons and other extreme weather conditions.

The town of Milaor is one of the municipalities in Camarines Sur that suffer heavy flooding whenever strong typhoons hit the Bicol region.

"Our kababayans now have a spacious and comfortable place to temporarily stay whenever their safety is compromised during typhoons and heavy flooding. More importantly, with this MPEC facility built by PAGCOR, we can now rest easy knowing that we now have a sturdy evacuation structure in Milaor that can be used in times of disasters,” said Reyes, who led the inauguration ceremony together with some key officers of PAGCOR and local government officials.

Edwin Tularam, who lives in a swampy community in Milaor, is one of those who are perpetually affected by the relentless flooding in Milaor during the rainy season.

Tularam's house, which is made of wood and other recycled materials, is a testament to the difficult plight of locals in the area and the need for a safe place to stay during calamities.

“Tuwing may bagyo halos sigurado na po iyan na kakailanganin namin lumikas. Dahil sa malakas na hangin, nililipad lagi 'yung bubong namin. Bukod pa doon, itong lugar namin ngayon, kapag kaunting ulan lang ay binabaha na. Kapag malakas ang ulan naman, umaabot hanggang bewang at hanggang dibdib ang baha,” he shared

“Madalas po kapag malakas at tuloy-tuloy na ulan lang at kahit hindi bagyo, nakikisilong muna kami sa nanay ko at minsan sa tiyuhin ko para masigurado ang kaligtasan namin," he added.

Now, Tularam and his family are overjoyed that they have a secure place to go during severe weather events.

“Napakalaking tulong po talaga nitong evacuation center na ito, kapag kinakailangan namin lumikas, hindi na namin kailangang makituloy sa bahay ng mga kamag-anak, o sa barangay hall dahil madalas po ay siksikan na doon," he shared.

To date, a total of 19 MPECs have been completely built and inaugurated nationwide while 57 are still undergoing construction.

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