The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod has approved on second reading a proposed ordinance that seeks to establish “safe, accessible, and well-managed evacuation centers” in every barangay or clustered barangays in the city.
Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, the proposed Field Evacuation Center and its Management Ordinance aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response by ensuring that evacuation operations are organized, dignified, and responsive to the needs of residents, particularly the vulnerable sectors.
“This ordinance ensures that evacuation is no longer improvised or reactive,” Distrito said in a statement Feb. 9. “By institutionalizing properly-managed field evacuation centers in our barangays, we are creating a system that guarantees safety, dignity, and timely assistance, especially for children, senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, during times of crisis.”
Under the proposed measure, each evacuation center shall be managed by a field evacuation center management committee (FECMC) to ensure orderly operations and effective inter-agency coordination.
For single-barangay evacuation centers, the FECMC shall be chaired by the punong barangay with a representative of the DSSD, or the social worker assigned by the DSSD to that barangay, as vice chairperson.
For clustered evacuation centers serving two or more barangays, the chairperson shall be the DSSD representative, and all the punong barangays shall be the co-vice chairpersons, the proposal states.
The ordinance also clearly delineates responsibilities in the provision of meals for evacuees.
“This is about coordination, not overlap. DSSD leads in welfare and food services, while the DRRMO provides the necessary support so that assistance reaches evacuees quickly and efficiently,” Distrito explained.
To support its implementation, the ordinance pushes an allocation of P30 million for food supplies and meals for evacuees and returning families, and an additional P20 million from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for hygiene kits and logistical requirements.
The proposed ordinance is scheduled for third reading and final SP approval before submission for executive action, Distrito said. ||
