The private sector — in partnership with the country's disaster response agencies — has pooled at least P12.77 million in funding for the construction of a fully-equipped evacuation site in Batangas province.
The Bank of the Philippine Island and BPI Foundation, in partnership with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, turned over the "BPI Bayanihan Center" located in the Ibaan, Batangas province to provide a safe harbor to those affected by the eruption of Taal volcano.
The modified designed evacuation site is equipped with a healthcare facility, a livelihood center, and a multi-purpose hall.
The PDRF said the 528-sqm infrastructure was built with sturdy and sustainable materials to survive future disasters that can withstand 250kph winds or up to Signal No. 5 typhoons and Magnitude 7 earthquakes.
It also has inclusive features such as a breastfeeding station and ramp to accommodate breastfeeding women and persons with disabilities.
PDRF president Butch Meily said the evacuation site must be crucial to provide a "safer haven for disaster victims during the times of greatest danger."
Among the objectives of the PDRF's Safe Shelters Project is to use sustainable materials and design disaster-resilient shelters and facilities for the disaster victims.
The BPI Bayanihan Center is the fifth evacuation center built under PDRF project, with the first four were built following the wrath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, two were constructed in Tacloban and another two in Palo, Leyte.
