By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Victorias City in Negros Occidental has inaugurated its new Command and Evacuation Center, with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos praising the state-of-the-art facility which cost P55 million and can house up to 1,000 evacuees.
The event, held on Thursday and attended by Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez and acting Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, marked a significant development for the community.
Secretary Abalos honored the city’s efforts, emphasizing the building’s role as more than just a structure but a representation of the community’s resolve.
“This building symbolizes our determination to protect the lives and safety of our people, showing our strength and commitment,” Abalos said during the ceremony.
He outlined the DILG’s responsibility under the Local Budget Circular no. 142-B, which ensures that local government units receive proper support for various projects, especially those that fortify communities against calamities.
The Evacuation Center, financed through the Department of Budget and Management’s Financial Assistance to Local Government Units program, embodies the DILG’s commitment to bolstering disaster resilience initiatives at the local level.
Abalos underlined the center’s critical role as a refuge during emergencies and as a hub for orchestrating disaster response.
Beyond its function as a shelter, the Evacuation Center is designed as a command hub for city security and disaster management, boasting advanced technology and a trained staff capable of rapid risk assessment and coordinated response.
In his address, Abalos urged the Victorias City community to reinforce their dedication to preparedness, resilience, and unity. He envisioned the center as a bastion of safety and a beacon of hope in challenging times.
Mayor Benitez contributed to the project with an additional P4 million to meet the Bureau of Fire and Protection standards.
Completed within seven months, the center is part of the ambitious 25-hectare Sidlak Victorias Global City, which will also host a new government center and housing community.
Benitez highlighted the facility’s versatility, serving primarily as an evacuation space and secondarily as an operations center and venue for city events.
This multi-functional approach underscores the city’s forward-thinking strategy in managing natural disasters and fostering community engagement.
