Cordillera evac centers face big challenges

BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development–Cordillera (DSWD-CAR) said that establishing ideal evacuation centers in the region remains a significant challenge due to various factors, particularly the mountainous terrain of most provinces.

DSWD-CAR Regional Director Maria Catbagan Aplaten said there are currently 3,279 evacuation centers across the six Cordillera provinces. To ensure these facilities meet national standards, the agency conducts Camp Coordination and Management (CCM) assessments to evaluate their readiness and adequacy.

Aplaten said an ideal evacuation center must have essential facilities such as separate, safe, and well-lit latrines and bathing areas, proper sleeping quarters, and designated zones for families and individuals with special needs. It must also be spacious enough to accommodate both evacuees and necessary facilities.

However, she noted that only the province of Apayao currently has a center that may meet these standards. Achieving the same level in other provinces, especially those with rugged terrain, remains a major challenge.

One of the biggest obstacles, Aplaten explained, is the availability of wide, stable land suitable for large evacuation centers. While some individuals are willing to donate or allow the use of their land, many of these areas fall within ancestral lands or ancestral domains, and national requirements mandate that evacuation center sites must be on titled property.

She added that during calamities, evacuees often end up seeking shelter in schools because these are generally safer, more accessible, and closer to communities compared to existing evacuation centers.

Aplaten also cited budget constraints, noting that the DSWD has no direct allocation for infrastructure. The support of local government units is therefore crucial in constructing evacuation centers that can meet ideal standards.

Meanwhile, DSWD-CAR Disaster Response and Management Division chief Novella Pocding said the passage of Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, is a positive development. Passed in December 2024, the law mandates every city and municipality to establish fully equipped evacuation centers. It aims to provide secure temporary shelters during disasters and minimize the use of schools as evacuation sites.