President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to sign soon a landmark bill establishing a network of permanent, storm-resilient evacuation centers nationwide, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said Nov. 3.
The proposed Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, championed by Romualdez and his fellow lawmakers, mandates fully equipped, disaster-ready evacuation centers in every city and municipality across the Philippines.
These facilities are designed as safe havens for millions of Filipinos, offering secure refuge as the nation braces for increasingly frequent and severe climate-driven calamities.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Romualdez described the proposed law as “a lifesaving shield” for Filipino families facing extreme weather.
“The devastation of recent storms shows us the urgent need to act,” he said. “The Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act represents our commitment to safeguarding every Filipino in times of crisis, ensuring that each city and municipality will have a secure, fully equipped center to shelter and support evacuees.”
The legislation mandates that each center be constructed to withstand the increasingly severe climate events impacting the Philippines.
Facilities will be built to endure typhoon winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, and seismic activity up to an 8.0 magnitude.
The Department of Public Works and Highways will lead the construction of these centers, in coordination with local governments, adhering to the strict standards of the National Building Code.
Under the bill, priority will be given to high-risk, disaster-prone areas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, as the lead implementing agency, will coordinate with local governments to determine where new centers are most urgently needed.
Facilities will include sleeping areas, healthcare stations, shower and toilet facilities, and spaces for children and women, ensuring full accessibility for people with disabilities.
“Each center will be a stronghold where communities can find safety, comfort, and the essentials they need during an emergency,” Romualdez said in a press release from his office. “These centers are more than buildings; they are our nation’s promise to leave no Filipino unprotected.” ||
