The Marcos administration is targeting the establishment of about 210 evacuation centers nationwide as schools continue to be used as temporary shelters for families displaced by disasters, Malacañang said Thursday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said around 299 schools were being used as evacuation centers as of Thursday afternoon in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa and Central Visayas.

Speaking to reporters, Castro said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to build 16 evacuation centers this year and another 32 in 2027.

Castro said the plan is in line with Republic Act 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Act, which seeks to strengthen disaster resilience by establishing safe and fully equipped evacuation centers in every city and municipality.

“So, iyan po ang proposal so far ng DPWH at ang ma-target po ay magkaroon tayo ng evacuation centers na mga 210 (So far, that is the proposal from the DPWH, with a target of having 210 evacuation centers),” she said.

Sustained cleanup drive

Castro also said the government is implementing programs to address flooding caused by large amounts of garbage clogging rivers and other waterways.

“Marami pong mga programa ang Pangulo. Pero kahit ano pong ganda ng programa ng Pangulo kung hindi rin po makikipagtulungan ang ating mga kababayan at tuloy-tuloy po silang magtatapon ng basura (The President has many programs, but no matter how good the President’s programs are, they will not succeed if our fellow citizens do not cooperate and continue to throw garbage),” Castro said.

She reminded those involved in cleanup operations, including beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) ptogram hired for the initiative, to properly perform their assigned tasks.

Castro issued the reminder after acknowledging reports that some TUPAD workers were sweeping garbage only for photo documentation.

“Isang example lamang po ‘yung mga hina-hire para sa TUPAD, sila ay ini-engage para maglinis pero nakita po natin na ito iyong nag-viral na ‘yung iba ay magpapa-picture lang kunwari may basurang winalis pero after that ay aalis na rin (This is just one example. Those hired under the TUPAD program are engaged to conduct cleanup activities, but we saw what went viral. Some would simply pose for pictures as if they were sweeping garbage, and then leave afterward),” she said.

“Minsan sila pa iyong nagtatambak ng basura para ipakita may basura sa lugar. Wawalisin nila and then after that, nandoon lang (Sometimes, they would even pile up garbage just to make it appear that there was waste in the area. They would sweep it and then just leave the garbage there),” Castro added. (PNA)