NEW CENTER. The Barangay Daan Lungsod Evacuation Center becomes the newest addition to the emergency response projects established under the "Build, Build, Build" program of the government in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental. The completed PHP33-million facility has a fully furnished kitchen, mess hall, reception, storage, breastfeeding room, conjugal room, and a stage and play area, among others. (Photo courtesy of DPWH-10) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Construction of a PHP33-million evacuation center in Barangay Daan Lungsod, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental has been completed, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 10 (Northern Mindanao). In a statement on Thursday, the DPWH-10 said the Barangay Daan Lungsod Evacuation Center formed part of the Duterte administration's "Build, Build, Build" program in the area. "The new center has a standard covered court design with gender-sensitive and persons with disability (PWDs) accessibility to ensure the safety and inclusivity of all citizens in the area," the DPWH-10 said. With a fully furnished kitchen, mess hall, reception, storage, breastfeeding room, conjugal room, admin office, record room, electrical room, and a stage and play area. The center aims to not only provide a safe space in times of disaster to the people but also serve as a suitable area for citizens to stay in. The DPWH-10 said the center was strategically positioned to provide a safe space specifically for communities near the riverbank. The new facility can also be used for other recreational and community-based activities on normal days. Flooding alert The completion of the center came following recent flooding incidents brought by heavy rains in several communities in the area. The Misamis Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (PDRRMOs), however, assured the public that despite the floods, no casualties have been recorded. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration heightened the heavy rainfall alert level to the "yellow" code on Wednesday afternoon and lifted it at 2 a.m. Thursday. PDRRMO officer-in-charge Fernando Dy said in an interview that floodwater in Barangay Poblacion, Gitagum had reached a knee-deep level on Wednesday night but eventually receded hours later. "In Opol town, some residents of City Homes in (Barangay) Malanang gathered in the covered court. Our PDRRMO, including barangay and municipal disaster responders, assisted them," he said. The City DRRMO here, meanwhile, has managed to help affected residents of flooding in different barangays, including those from Barangays Iponan and Canitoan whose residents were told to evacuate. Improving disaster resiliency Highlighting the need to have an effective, responsive, and inclusive social protection for communities, non-government organization Plan International has started its Moving Urban Poor Communities Towards Resilience (Move Up) 4 Mindanao project to help build resiliency among disaster victims. Move Up 4 Mindanao project manager John Tamayo said the initiative is done in partnership with local social welfare and development offices and DRRMOs to further improve emergency response. "For example, the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), what we did was we tweaked it to be responsive to emergencies. It is activated when there is an emergency to address or help affected individuals in a disaster," he said. Currently, the project implementers have partnered with the local government of Iligan with the hope it will be replicated in other parts of Mindanao. Tamayo noted that the Move Up 4 Mindanao project has been implemented in Iligan since 2019. Other programs were capacity building for barangays in creating alternative temporary shelters, resilient livelihood, and social safety net. Under the Move Up 4 program, Plan International is also conducting capacity building and training for various agencies of the city government and communities to be resilient. Community savings groups were established in Barangays Tambacan and Tubod where members save funds together that can be used during emergencies. (PNA) }