Butuan City- Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga spearheaded last June 8, 2016 the turn-over ceremony of the P17.9M-worth pilot evacuation center funded DSWD and this city’s local government unit (LGU).

Brigoli bared that the multi-million project located at Purok 10, Forest Park, Barangay Bancasi, this city has a capacity to house 500 plus individuals.

“We are so happy that finally this building is already completed and now ready to be used anytime another disaster will happen in the city,” she said.

“This evacuation center is purposely built to provide convenient and safe place for the victims of calamities/disasters, so that in a way we will provide relief from their burdens of being displaced from their homes,” Brigoli added.

Aside from the establishment, the regional office also provided other facilities such as big pots/kettles, plastic containers, and ladles which will be of use when internally-displaced persons (IDPs) will be staying at the evacuation center should the city be visited by disasters/calamities.

City Administrator Regie Mag-usara and City Councilor Sammy Amante both represented LGU Butuan during the said ceremony to formally receive the symbolic key of responsibility and accountability for the evacuation center.

A Manual of Operation for the center was also made by the Butuan City LGU, through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, with inputs from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations unit of DSWD-Caraga. ###(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)