Stop using schools as evacuation centers – Cayetano
Senator Pia Cayetano asked for construction of more evacuation centers to stop the practice of using schools as shelter for victims of calamities.
Cayetano said that Republic Act 10821 or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act prohibits the use of school buildings as evacuation centers unless it is necessary.
Cayetano asked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to identify calamity-prone areas.
“Do you have a database on the calamity-prone areas that do not have facilities other than the school as evacuation center, so that you can prioritize the construction of evacuation centers because this is directly aligned with our desire that the kids are all back in face-to-face school,” Cayetano said.
DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo said that he already suggested to the President the building of a permanent evacuation center in every city and municipality.
Tulfo added that he believes that education must not be delayed during calamities.