The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has inaugurated its first Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center (MPEC) in the province of Laguna.

The P50m ($890,000) venue was built for disaster preparedness for San Pablo City, which has over 300,000 residents. The two-story structure in Barangay San Gregorio has kitchen and storage areas, as well as toilet and shower rooms among other vital amenities. It will be maintained by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

“This structure from PAGCOR will reinforce our efforts to keep our constituents safe from the dangers brought by various calamities,” said former San Pablo City Mayor Loreto Amante.

“Our people now have a perfect place to stay when certain situations necessitate them to evacuate their homes. This will also serve not only the people of the barangay where it is located but also those from nearby communities.”

Amante also noted that the new MPEC has provided the city government with extra space to conduct events that require spacious venues to comfortably accommodate guests and participants, with DRRMO Administrative Officer Rolly Asaula adding that the venue enables the organisation to work comfortably by allowing it to hold an office on the ground floor.

Other sites in Laguna that have received funding from PAGCOR for the construction of MPECs are Cabuyao City and the towns of Calauan, Victoria and Luisiana, with the construction of emergency facilities in these areas ongoing.

PAGCOR has allotted a total of P3.5bn for the construction of MPECs across 76 sites nationwide, including the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Albay, and Capiz, and the towns of Sagñay, San Jose, Tigaon and Ocampo in Camarines Sur.