The Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya, headed by Governor Carlos M. Padilla recently initiated the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of the Regional Evacuation center at the back of the legislative building last July 3.

It is a nationwide program of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to put up evacuation centers in all regions as preparation for inevitable calamities that might hit the country.

According to Provincial Engineer Manolo Norial, there will be three evacuation centers to be constructed in the province which include Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya.

“Out of the five provinces and four cities in the region who participated in the bidding, our province is so lucky to be one of the recipients,” said Governor Padilla during the ceremony.

The total amount of the project is P30, 918,705 saving about P4.1 million from the original fund from NDRRMC of P36 million each project.

According to the contractor, the project is composed of eight buildings which include an office building, pharmacy, laundry area, accommodation building, toilets, kitchen, storage room, waste and water and a wide open area to put up additional tents and parking area.

Governor Padilla also emphasized that there is no monetary counterpart of the province except for the 3, 000 square meters site for the evacuation center.

“The site is very strategic since it is close to the office of the Philippine Red Cross and the office of the Provincial Integrated Health Office (PIHO),” added Governor Padilla.