Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday assured the public that the proposed PHP3.06-billion allocation for the construction of evacuation centers under the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) will not be used as an election or campaign fund. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro gave the assurance after Sen. Panfilo Lacson raised concerns over the uniform PHP180-million allocation for each region.
According to Philippines News Agency, Castro dismissed concerns that the projects could become 'ghost projects,' stating that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would not allow such a situation under his administration. She emphasized that the government has mechanisms in place to ensure that nationally funded projects are properly implemented and monitored.
Citing the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Castro mentioned that the absence of specific locations in the 2027 NEP does not imply a lack of implementation process or that sites could be arbitrarily chosen. She referenced Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which mandates the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and concerned agencies, to identify and prioritize sites for evacuation centers.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is identified as the implementing agency. Castro explained that site selection would be based on technical considerations, including disaster risk, topography, land availability, and the actual needs of communities, ensuring that decisions are guided by law rather than discretion.
For 2027, the proposed allocation covers two Ligtas Pinoy Centers per region at PHP90 million each. Castro highlighted that this plan includes a five-year implementation strategy, covering site development and adjustments for unique site conditions. She also noted that the site identification process is already underway, with the DPWH formally requesting the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on August 10 to submit a prioritized list of sites to facilitate proper project identification and readiness for implementation.
In conclusion, Castro reiterated that the purpose, number, cost, and implementing framework are already defined, with specific sites being finalized through a legally mandated prioritization process.
