Sun | 12.13.2020 | 9:30 AM

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Barely a month after a series of destructive typhoons lashed the Bicol Region, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has bankrolled the construction of two multi-purpose evacuation centers (MPEC) here to help mitigate the destructive impact of calamities in the province.

PAGCOR President and COO Alfredo Lim (4th from left) turns over the agency’s P50 million mock check to Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal (3rd from left). The amount represents PAGCOR’s allocated funds for the construction of a multi-purpose evacuation center in Legazpi City.

PAGCOR President and COO Alfredo Lim (3rd from left) turns over the agency’s P50 million mock check to Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua (2nd from right). The amount represents PAGCOR’s allocated funds for the construction of a Multi-purpose Evacuation Center in Brgy. Tomolin, Ligao City. Also in photo are (from left) PAGCOR Director Reynaldo Concordia, Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando Cabredo and PAGCOR’s Chief of Staff (for President and COO) Atty. Alberto Regino.

(From left) PAGCOR’s Chief of Staff (for President and COO) Atty. Alberto Regino, Director Reynaldo Concordia, President and COO Alfredo Lim, Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, and Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando Cabredo bury the time capsule containing the blueprint, newspaper of the day and other pertinent documents for the construction of the two-storey PAGCOR Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center in Brgy. Tomolin, Ligao City.

The aerial view of sites where the Multi-purpose Evacuation Centers will be constructed in Legazpi (above) and Ligao (below).

The two MPECs, which will be constructed in Brgy. Homapon in Legazpi City and Brgy. Tomolin in Ligao, Albay – each received P50 million funding from PAGCOR.

Each typhoon-resilient evacuation center will have two floors with complete facility, packed room for goods and a spacious badminton-type area on the second floor.

During the groundbreaking ceremony of the two MPECs on December 11, 2020, PAGCOR President and Chief Operating Officer Alfredo Lim underscored the importance of having permanent evacuation centers in the Bicol Region since it is one of the most typhoon-prone areas in the country.

“While Bicolanos are used to these typhoons including the damages to people and properties, it has become evident in the past years that typhoons are becoming increasingly powerful and the people are becoming more vulnerable,” he observed.

Lim added that every time there is a strong typhoon, many locals are brought to packed public school buildings turned into evacuation centers, causing the disruption of classes for several days or weeks.

“Through the MPEC project, many locals in vulnerable communities who could not afford to build typhoon-resilient houses will have a decent place to go to. This permanent evacuation center could help save lives whenever disasters strike,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, who also graced the groundbreaking ceremony in Brgy. Homapon, expressed his gratitude to PAGCOR for including their city in the priority list of areas to receive an MPEC.

“This evacuation center will be a great help to our city. Legazpi is not only located in the typhoon belt; it is also under the constant threat of volcanic eruption, flooding, and landslides because Mayon Volcano remains to be an active volcano. This structure will help us mitigate the impact of disasters in the long term,” he explained.

Likewise, Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua said the MPEC will help them address the needs of Ligao locals who need to be transferred to safer ground during typhoons or volcanic eruptions.

Go back