Manila: CARMEN, SURIGAO DEL SUR The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Carmen, Surigao del Sur, has officially welcomed the completion of a PHP33-million evacuation center, aimed at providing shelter during calamities.

According to Philippines News Agency, Carmen MDRRMO chief June Jaramillo stated that the new facility will serve as a safe haven for families, particularly those in vulnerable sectors, during natural disasters such as floods and landslides. The evacuation center, spanning an area of 1,250 square meters, includes sleeping quarters, gender-segregated restrooms, a dining area, and sinks with running water.

The Department of Public Works and Highways in the Caraga Region (DPWH-13) formally turned over the facility to the local government last week. Designed to be more than just a shelter, the center also features a fully equipped kitchen, a laundry area, relief goods storage, a clinic, a breastfeeding station, a prayer room, and a playroom for children.

Jaramillo highlighted that the center is expected to serve over 2,600 families across eight barangays in the municipality. Many of these families have previously relied on makeshift shelters such as schools and barangay halls during emergencies. He noted that with this new facility, evacuees will no longer have to endure cramped and inadequate conditions, as the center provides a proper, safe, and dignified place for families displaced by disasters.