TACLOBAN CITY – The city government of Tacloban got another boost for its Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) initiatives on Friday, August 25, when it received a donation of a two-storey community evacuation center (CEC) from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The ceremonial turnover of the building located at Barangay Cabalawan, approximately 14 kilometers from the city proper and directly accessible to a number of resettlement sites, was attended by Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, UNDP Resident Representative Ola Almgren, Deputy Country Director Enrico Caveglia and Eden Garde, program manager for UNDP and other officials of the city government.
Constructed on a lot owned by the city government, the building which has a total floor area of 814 square meters can accommodate approximately 100 families at 500 individuals.
The sturdy structure which can withstand a category 5 typhoon and intensity 9 earthquake, is energized by a 5,000 watts capacity solar panels attached to its roof.
Water and toilet facilities for men, women, and persons with disabilities are also available at the CEC.
Aside from functioning as an evacuation shelter during calamities, the building will also serve as multi-purpose facility for training and other disaster preparedness activities that will be conducted by Tacloban City Rescue Unit (TACRU) – the Emergency Response arm of the City Government.
The Tacloban CEC is the biggest among the 11 evacuation centers built by the UNDP for typhoon Yolanda stricken communities throughout Leyte province.
Mayor Romualdez thanked UNDP for the project and assured its maintenance and preservation, while expressing her wish for more partnerships with the UN agency.
Meantime, Almgren lauded the LGU’s steadfast support for projects related to disaster risk reduction management.
–HENRY JAMES G. ROCA/CIO, Photos by Mike Espina/CIO)
