📷Former Bayan Muna Congressman Carlos Isagani Zarate
Amidst the devastation brought by Typhoon Kristine, which left thousands of homes submerged and millions affected,former Bayan Muna Congressman Carlos Isagani Zarate urged the Senate to expedite the approval of the Permanent Evacuation Centers Bill. This call comes as many communities suffer from inadequate evacuation facilities, exacerbating the hardships faced by those displaced by the storm.
“With Typhoon Kristine wreaking havoc, it is imperative that we establish permanent evacuation centers at least one for every 3 barangays in each city and municipality in the country to ensure the safety and dignity of our people during calamities. We urge the Senate to prioritize this bill,” Zarate emphasized.
The consolidated House Bill 7354 seeks to establish evacuation centers across the country, offering immediate and temporary shelter for those displaced by disasters. This measure, first proposed by Bayan Muna in the 16th Congress, has been refiled multiple times, gaining approval in the House in the 18th and 19th Congress but stalling in the Senate.
Zarate also highlighted the need for a comprehensive study on the impact of deforestation, mining, quarrying, and haphazard urban development, which may have contributed to the unprecedented flooding.
“We must address the root causes of these disasters, including the chaotic development of malls, subdivisions, and airports, which disrupt natural waterways and exacerbate flooding. As it is, we believe that human activities induced by neoliberal programs and policies exacerbate these natural calamities,” Zarate stated.
Schools and covered courts currently serve as makeshift evacuation centers, but they lack the necessary disaster resilience,” Zarate pointed out.
“We hope that Malacañang and Senate leadership will heed our call to classify this bill as urgent and expedite its passage,” Zarate urged. “The establishment of disaster-resilient permanent evacuation centers is crucial for the safety and well-being of our communities.”
With the devastation of Typhoon Kristine as a stark reminder, Zarate called for immediate legislative action to protect vulnerable populations and prevent future tragedies. We are one with the people’s movement and the victims of this most recent disaster in demanding accountability and reparations for the damages they have incurred both in lives and property,” #
