• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The cities of Silay and Talisay in Negros Occidental will soon have their own evacuation centers, through the effort of Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, who led the groundbreaking ceremonies on Aug. 14.
The evacuation centers will be constructed in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City and in Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City.
Benitez also led the groundbreaking for the Metro Third District Office in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City.
The Mambulac evacuation center will be built on a 1,447.89-square-meter site on a local government unit (LGU)-owned lot.
The one-storey facility will have a maximum capacity of 106 persons.
Village chief Hazel Cordero said Mambulac serves as a catch basin for water flowing down from highland areas during heavy rains, increasing the risk of flooding in the barangay and nearby communities, including Guinhalaran and Lantad.
In Talisay City, the Barangay Concepcion evacuation center will occupy a 1,500-square meter site and will also be a one-storey facility with a capacity of 106 persons.
Both evacuation centers will feature sleeping areas, separate male and female toilet and bath facilities, a clinic with dedicated toilets, a person with disability toilet, kitchen and dining areas, laundry and washing areas, a children’s play area, storage facilities, and a water storage system.
The projects will also include parking areas, drainage systems, landscaping, and access roads.
Their designs will comply with the National Building Code, structural safety and accessibility standards, and disaster-resilient design requirements.
Outside emergency situations, the facilities may be used by the local governments and barangays for meetings, programs, and other community activities.
Meanwhile, the two-storey legislative building at Employees’ Village in Barangay Guinhalaran will serve as the permanent congressional office of the Third District and will be officially known as the Metro Third District Office.
The facility will cover 610.55 square meters on a 1,499.27-square meter LGU-owned lot adjacent to Guinhalaran Creek.
It will house a session hall, committee and conference rooms, offices for legislative officials and personnel, and records and administrative areas.
These facilities are intended to provide dedicated spaces for legislative sessions, committee meetings, public consultations, and records management.
The building will also have public waiting and receiving areas for constituents seeking assistance, consultations, and other services. Its layout will separate public, legislative, and administrative spaces.
A covered court will also be constructed beside the district office to provide an additional venue for community activities.
For power backup, the building will be equipped with a 630-watt hybrid solar power system with an inverter.
Like the evacuation centers, the Metro Third District Office will comply with the National Building Code, fire safety regulations, accessibility standards, and structural design requirements.
Disaster-resilient features will also be incorporated into the building’s design.
In a statement, Benitez said the three projects are expected to strengthen disaster preparedness and public service facilities in the Third District while providing communities with additional spaces for government and civic activities. | GPB
