A memorandum of agreement (MOA) has been forged between the provincial government of Albay and the Department of Social Welfare and Development duly represented by Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda and Director Remia T. Tapispisan for the construction of a pilot evacuation center.

As recommended by Governor Salceda, the 10.8 million worth of evacuation center shall be constructed at San Jose Elementary School, Malilipot Albay.

The department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) being the over–all responsible on disaster response, aims to break the culture of most disaster victims who refuse to go to evacuation centers just to be able to take care of their properties.

As explained by Director Tapispisan, bringing these evacuation centers nearer to their place of residence and located at most convenient  and safer place, the department is assured that the loses of lives due to this practice of most disaster affected population will be minimized if not eradicated at all.

This evacuation center cum multi-purpose center will be used as classroom during normal times and evacuation center during disasters and calamities. It is estimated to accommodate 1,000 families affected by flooding, lahar flow and land slide from the barangays of Malilipot namely; San Roque, Canauay, Calbayog and San Jose.

Present during the MOA signing were Malilipot Mayor Herminio Bitara, Mr. Cedric Daep, Director, Albay Public Safety Emergency Management Officer and DSWD Asst. Regional Director Evelyn M. Lontok. ###eejerusalem, SMU-dswd5