DPWH turns over evacuation center to SurSur town It was a moment of pride for Hinatuanons, as the fully-completed Evacuation Center cum Multi-Purpose Covered Court situated in Barangay Bitoon was officially turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Caraga to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Hinatuan. The facility will primarily function as an evacuation center but can be utilized as a venue for sports or indoor games, conferences, and other activities in the absence of a disaster. The gym-like multipurpose evacuation center carries the standard evacuation center design of the DPWH that has gendersensitive facilities. It is equipped with living quarters, a male and female toilet and bath, kitchen, dining area, basketball court, rooms to be used as admin offices, clinic room, prayer room, dressing room, and breastfeeding
24
|December 11-17, 2021
room. There is also an area for laundry, storage/ stockroom, reception, a generator set, and other basic amenities. The project was undertaken by the DPWHCaraga but funded by the national government, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) while the LGU provided the lot for the infrastructure. Town mayor Shem G. Garay underscored the importance of having an evacuation center to answer to the need for resilient structures where evacuees can seek refuge, and provide them temporary shelter fit for
living. Second District Congressman Johnny T. Pimentel, who graced the turnover ceremony, said that the facility will greatly improve the preparedness and response capability of Hinatuan in times of disasters and emergencies. Also in attendance during the event were the municipal and Barangay Bitoon officials, LGUHinatuan department and office heads, DPWHCaraga representatives, personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), among others. (LGU-Hinatuan/PIASurigao del Sur) Caraga INFOCUS
