QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed a measure for the construction of multipurpose centers in the city’s six districts.
District 2 Councilors Ramon Medalla and Ranulfo Ludovica, authors of the ordinance, said it was necessary to construct multipurpose evacuation centers in every district of Quezon City to enhance disaster preparedness in the communities.
The City Planning and Development Office is now identifying suitable locations for the evacuation centers.
At present, the CPDO said two sites are ideal sites for building the evacuation centers: Barangay Pasong Tamo in District 6 and Barangay Payatas in District 2.
“Right now, we are in the process of acquisition of the properties,” Marissa Isip of the city planning office said.
Ordinance 2578-2017, signed by Bautista, concretizes various measures passed by the city council on disaster preparedness.
City Council Resolution 3925-2007, meanwhile called on QC’s 146 barangays to identify and designate evacuation areas.
On the other hand, Resolution 5848-2014 supported the city government’s construction of dedicated evacuation centers in disaster-prone areas.
“The schools, covered courts and even churches are being used as evacuation centers. However, the same are not structurally designed to withstand man-made disasters or natural calamities, and do not have enough water supply, proper ventilation, toilets and lighting,” the ordinance read.
The proposed multipurpose evacuation centers would have complete amenities, such as kitchens, storage rooms for goods and supplies, clinics, laundry areas, toilets, shower rooms, sleeping quarters, counseling areas, and related facilities for the convenience and comfort of evacuees.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City Council has passed a resolution authorizing Mayor Bautista to donate 10 closed-circuit television camera surveillance systems to Barangay Project 6.
City Resolution 7043-2017 also authorizes the city government to transfer the ownership of the CCTV system without cost to the barangay.
The resolution, introduced by Councilor Eric Z. Medina, gives Mayor Bautista the go-signal to sign the Deed of Donation in favor of Barangay Project 6.
“The CCTV system would be utilized as a first line of defense in the community to address and suppress criminal activities proliferating in the said barangay,” the resolution read.
The CCTV system units have been purchased using funds allocated to the office of Councilor Elizabeth A. Delarmente.