CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) inaugurated its 36th Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center (MPEC) in Brgy. Polangi, Catarman, Northern Samar on Friday, November 10.
The P50 million two-storey building can provide temporary shelter to some 6,000 individuals, an estimated number of residents in 14 barangays that could probably be displaced from their homes following a disaster.
The newly completed state-of-the-art multi-purpose evacuation center, which cost P50 million, was inaugurated on November 10, 2023. The evacuation facility is located in the flood- and slide-prone community in Brgy. Polangi, Catarman.(Photo courtesy of Aye Emika Mamba 111)
This will be the biggest evacuation facility constructed in the entire province of Northern Samar and has complete facilities like toilets, kitchens, laundry blocks, and wash areas.
Mayor Francisco Aurelio Rosales expressed his appreciation to PAGCOR for funding the landmark structure that will help the typhoon-prone capital town of Catarman.
“This is a testament to how the national government tricked down programs to the communities that will benefit our people,” Rosales said.
The mayor is looking forward to a continued partnership with PAGCOR and is hoping for another infrastructure project funded by PAGCOR.
PAGCOR Community Relations Services Department Assistant Vice President Eric Balcos, in his message, reminded the LGU to take good care of the said evacuation facility as this was one of its kind, a disaster-resilient project coming from the national government.
On the other hand, Polangi Brgy. Captain Joephel Ogayre also expressed his appreciation to PAGCOR for the construction of the state-of-the-art facility because this will not only serve as a protective shelter from natural hazards such as floods and typhoons but, alternatively, when not used as an evacuation facility, as a multi-purpose hall. (MMP/TBC/PIA-Northern Samar)
PAGCOR Community Relations Services Department Assistant Vice President Eric Balcos (in blue polo shirt) and Catarman Mayor Francisco Aurelio Rosales (in white polo shirt) led the cutting of the ribbon of the new Multi-Purpose Evaluation Center in Brgy. Polangi, Catarman, on November 10. (Photo: TBC/PIA Northern Samar)
