Laws signed for evacuation sites, deferred student loan fees

President Marcos signed yesterday a law mandating the establishment of fully equipped evacuation centers nationwide and another providing a moratorium on the payment of school loans for students in areas declared under a state of calamity.

- By HELEN FLORES

Republic Act 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act directs the establishment of evacuation centers across the country to provide secure, temporary accommodation to disaster-affected residents.

"We need to ensure that the evacuation centers sufficiently respond to the needs of our people affected by calamities and other such emergencies," Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the law at Malacañang.

Marcos said RA 12076 would address the long-standing issue of schools being used as evacuation centers, which hampers their primary purpose of fostering learning and creativity.

The President ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure timely construction of evacuation centers in priority local government units, adhering to the National Building Code and local requirements.

The evacuation centers will be strategically located at safe distances from danger areas, guided by geohazard maps from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

The centers must also adhere to stringent standards, including the ability to withstand wind speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, seismic activity up to 8.0 magnitude and must be well-ventilated with essential facilities, such as sleeping quarters, separate shower areas, kitchens, health care spaces and recreational areas.