Barangay Dela Paz residents go about their day in Binan, Laguna as they continue to stay at the Dela Paz Elementary School on November 18, 2024. They have been staying in the evacuation site since Severe Tropical Storm Kristine battered the country, leaving dozens dead. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Evac

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173345580825820241118-pepito-laguna-evac-center-JC-4.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Barangay Dela Paz residents go about their day in Binan, Laguna as they continue to stay at the Dela Paz Elementary School on November 18, 2024. They have been staying in the evacuation site since Severe Tropical Storm Kristine battered the country, leaving dozens dead. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Friday signed into law a measure mandating the establishment of fully-equipped evacuation centers nationwide to provide accommodation to residents affected by disasters and other emergencies.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2024/12/2/hundreds-of-families-in-evacuation-centers-amid-bicol-floods-1654">Hundreds of families in evacuation centers amid Bicol floods</a></div><p>Marcos signed Republic Act 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act in a ceremony in Malacañang attended by Congress leaders, officials, and stakeholders.</p><p>In his speech, Marcos noted the need to ensure that evacuation centers could sufficiently respond to the needs of people affected by calamities and other such emergencies.</p><p>“Investing in these climate-resilient facilities must be the norm; for we are not only protecting the people’s lives, but also capacitating our local government units to respond, to reduce, and to manage the risks of disasters,” the President said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/14/nasa-philippines-overlapping-storms-unusual-653">NASA: Philippines’ overlapping cyclones ‘unusual’</a></div><p>“Through this, we are also integrating into the very consciousness of every Filipino that preparedness is as vital as responsiveness. Whenever disaster strikes, we can and will respond,&quot; he added.</p><p>The President noted the various problems that arise when local governments use public schools as default evacuation centers for prolonged periods of time.</p><p>“Schools are supposed to be sanctuaries for learning, creativity, and growth; they should not also bear the burden of being makeshift shelters,” Marcos said.</p><p>“With the enactment of this law, we heed that appeal and commit to only using our schools for the promotion of our students’ welfare and development of the education system.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/27/decades-old-plight-newer-challenges-loom-as-philippines-enters-new-school-year-1006">Decades-old plight, newer challenges loom as Philippines enters new school year</a></div><p>The President called on the DPWH “to ensure the timely construction of these evacuation centers in priority LGUs, in adherence to the required minimum standards, including the National Building Code, and with consideration to the unique needs of each LGU.”</p><p>“Furthermore, we have redesigned the evacuation centers because the weather that we have been experiencing has become more and more extreme,&quot; he said.</p><p>Marcos also signed into law the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, a measure that mandates the suspension of student loan collections without penalty and interest during and after calamities.</p><p>Marcos said Republic Act 12077 would allow the disaster-affected students and their families “to have a breathing space as they recuperate and rebuild their lives.”</p><p>“It is our hope that this law will help lessen the financial burden off our students’ shoulders as they continue their schooling,” he said.</p><p>The President directed the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority to extend all forms of necessary and reasonable assistance to students, and “ensure that the financial hardship of disadvantaged students will not hinder them from completing their education.” </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mzIoBdnwZJA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>In his speech, Marcos noted the need to ensure that evacuation centers are able to sufficiently respond to the needs of people affected by calamities and other such emergencies.</p>

In his speech, Marcos noted the need to ensure that evacuation centers are able to sufficiently respond to the needs of people affected by calamities and other such emergencies.

Marcos OKs laws on 'climate-resilient' evacuation centers, student loan moratorium during disasters | ABS-CBN

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Marcos OKs laws on 'climate-resilient' evacuation centers, student loan moratorium during disasters

Marcos OKs laws on 'climate-resilient' evacuation centers, student loan moratorium during disasters

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 06, 2024 11:51 AM PHT

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