The Sipalay City government is building a P16.9 million evacuation center as part of its efforts to strengthen its disaster preparedness and response.
Mayor Maria Gina Lizares led the groundbreaking rites on Wednesday, December 9. The construction of the facility located at Barangay Gil Montilla commenced after.
Lizares said that having an equipped evacuation center is important for Sipalay, which is geographically situated in a disaster-prone area.
“We are near the Negros trench which is one of the reasons why we often experience earthquakes which can potentially trigger a tsunami. We are also prone to storm surges and floods brought by heavy rains,” she said.
The mayor also urged the barangay leaders, especially in coastal barangays, to strengthen their conservation efforts.
In November, the city government lifted its restrictions on non-essential and tourism-related travel to the locality to open up its economic activities.*