by Robbie Pangilinan
A two-storey Community Evacuation Center (CEC) that can withstand a category 5 Typhoon and intensity 9 earthquake was built in Tacloban City through the funding of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
“This is certainly a big boost for our city’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management or DRRM initiatives. We thank the UNDP for the project and we assure you of its maintenance and preservation,” said Tacloba n City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez.
The 814-square meter evacuation center that stands on a city government-owned lot in Barangay Cabalawan, can accommodate approximately 100 families or 500 individuals. It is energized by a 5,000-watt capacity solar panels attached to its roof. The CEC has water and toilet facilities for men, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Fourteen kilometers from the city proper and directly accessible to a number of resettlement sites, the Tacloban CEC will also serve as a multi-purpose facility for training and other disaster preparedness activities to be conducted by the Tacloban City Rescue Unit (TACRU), the Emergency Response arm of the City Government.
After Typhoon Yolanda, the UNDP has already built 11 evacuation centers throughout Leyte, with the Tacloban CEC being the biggest.
During the ceremonial turn-over of the building attended by Mayor 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, Mayor Romualdez expressed her wish for more partnerships with the UN Agency.