Davao City will have its first evacuation center this year with the near completion of the P26-million worth facility in Barangay Los Amigos in Tugbok Dstrict.

Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) chief Alfredo Baloran said the Los Amigos evacuation center is now 90 percent complete to serve as a temporary shelter for people who are forced to leave homes in times of hazards such as flooding and fire.

The evacuation center is equipped with facilities such as comfort rooms, kitchen, and a couple’s room. The facility can accommodate more than 100 families.

“The evacuation center is not only for the people of the third district, but it will also cater those from the first and second districts during floods or landslides, or any other form of calamity,” Baloran said.

He said the city government aims to build at least one evacuation center and stock room in each district.

“The stockroom is for our perishable and non-perishable goods that are essential in times of disaster, however, we are still exploring areas in the city where we can place our stocks,” Baloran said.

In the second district, the city is looking at Barangay Mahayag as the possible site for the evacuation center.

Baloran said he is still looking for places to construct the facility for the first district.

If all evacuation centers will be realized, Baloran said affected families will no longer be housed in gyms and schools during emergency situation. CIO