26,000 families spend Christmas in evacuation centers nationwide

At least 26,053 families or 91,982 individuals are facing a bleak Christmas as they remain in evacuation centers (ECs) across the country, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DSWD said the number continues to be closely monitored, as many families have yet to fully recover from the effects of past disasters and remain displaced during the holiday season.

Based on data from the DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB), as of Monday, 22 December, there were 57,899 activated evacuation centers nationwide due to various natural calamities and incidents. Of these, 845 evacuation centers remain operational, currently sheltering the displaced families.

The highest number of displaced individuals was recorded in Region VII (Central Visayas), where 479 evacuation centers are housing 45,805 internally displaced persons (IDPs). This was followed by Region IV-A (CALABARZON) with 182 evacuation centers accommodating 19,998 IDPs, and the Negros Island Region (NIR) with 14,747 IDPs.

“As per directive ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian, na tiyakin na namo-monitor lahat ng evacuation centers all over the country, ang kaniyang directive, una tiyakin na ang ating approach ay human rights based. Pangunahing tinitingnan natin diyan ay yung social protection dapat in place. May mga vulnerable groups tayong tututukan given na mataas yung risks sa health nila, sa harassment kung kababaihan yan, mga kabataan. Binibigyan din natin ng technical assistance yung mga LGUs na tiyakin na mayroon [ang mga ECs] ng child-friendly spaces, women-friendly spaces, lactating rooms, prayer rooms, and even conjugal rooms,” DRMB Director Maria Isabel Lanada said.

As Christmas approaches, Lanada directed DSWD field offices to ensure families staying in evacuation centers receive adequate support and psychosocial assistance.

“’Yung mga Angels in Red Vests nag mukha silang Santa Claus. May mga field offices tayo na ngangaroling, nag i-immersion doon while doing the monitoring and camp safety audit. Sa bahagi ni DRMB, isa sa direktiba ko rin ay i-mobilize ‘yung ating mga tao para puntahan ‘yung mga evacuation centers. Isa sa plano naming puntahan ay yung sa Rizal para magparamdam ng kapaskuhan,” Lanada said.

She emphasized that the spirit of Christmas should be felt by everyone, especially those enduring hardship due to displacement, and encouraged communities to visit evacuation centers and share the warmth of the season.

“Sana manatili ‘yung kasiyahan, mapanatili ‘yung katatagan, at hindi mawala ‘yung kabutihan sa puso natin sa gitna ng pag celebrate natin ng kapaskuhan. Katulad din ni Kristo na sa sabsaban ipinanganak, manatili tayong mapagkumbaba at kumapit sa panginoong Diyos sa kaniyang biyaya at ‘wag mawala ‘yung pagiging maka-diyos,” Lanada said as she wished IDPs a Merry Christmas.

The DRMB, in coordination with local government units (LGUs), committed to continue providing food and non-food items to displaced families while they remain in evacuation centers.

“Ang DRMB ang perspective naming next year, ikutan talaga ‘yung buong Pilipinas para magkaroon ng safety audits at review sa mga plans ng LGU doon sa mga evacuation centers. Kailangan naming itong i-check para ‘yung preparedness to response ma-measure namin. Nagbigay na ko ng mandato sa aming operations division na ang 83 provinces at lahat ng LGUs sa municipal level iche-check namin [ang ECs] at kung wala ay magla-lobby kami to come up a resolution identifying the areas kung saan nila ilalagay ‘yung mga IDPs nila depending sa disaster na haharapin nila,” Lanada said.

Improving evacuation centers is among the DSWD’s priorities for 2026, following assessments showing that many facilities still lack adequate services. The department said it will work with LGUs and partner agencies to address gaps and ensure the availability of child-friendly spaces, women-friendly spaces, health rooms, prayer rooms, information desks, handwashing facilities, storage areas, and at least 1,000 laundry spaces nationwide.