A PHP34-million multi-purpose evacuation center has been completed in Jaro town, Leyte province as a safe shelter for 100 families during calamities.

The structure in Sto. Niño village has a floor area of 1,445 square meters and is equipped with facilities such as a kitchen, toilets for both genders, a breastfeeding room, conjugal room, clinic, a prayer room, and an office.

The building is designed to withstand strong winds up to 340 kilometers per hour, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The DPWH field office here turned over the project funded under the 2021 regular budget to the local government on Tuesday.

“This building will primarily be used as evacuation center during calamities, but it can also be used for recreation, sports events, meetings, and other local government and community activities,” said Mayor Jassie Lou Tañala.

For better access to the evacuation center, the mayor has committed to provide funds for the road concreting leading to the facility.

“My only request to the constituents, especially to the residents nearby, is to use this facility responsibly and avoid actions that will be detrimental to its purpose,” he said.

From 2016 to 2022, the DPWH in Eastern Visayas carried out the establishment of 27 evacuation centers, including the completed 14 structures and four still under construction.

Ongoing projects are located in Catubig town, Northern Samar; and in the towns of Hilongos, Hununangan and Tolosa in Leyte. (PNA)