CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) -- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed two multipurpose buildings (MPBs) in General Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija.
 
Both covered court structures built in Barangays Pulong Singkamas and Belen will be converted into evacuation centers.
 
Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad said the repurposing of the facilities by the municipal government is appropriate.
 
“Our province is prone to calamities and just this September we were hit by a Super Typhoon. The challenge for local government units right now is how they can accommodate the affected residents considering that there are not enough temporary shelters in rural communities,” Trinidad added.
 
Public safety has also been a priority of DPWH, saving people's lives by minimizing the impact of disasters through engineering interventions.
 
For his part, Belen Punong Barangay Nestor Lagasca expressed gratitude on behalf of his constituents for the construction of the facility.
 
“Ito pong naipatayo po na ito na MPB po ay napaka ganda po at magandang tulong po sa aking kabarangay na pagdating po ulit ng isang kalamidad na dito sa amin hindi na po ako maghahanap kung saan ko po ilalagay yung mga taong mag-eevacuate. Dito na po sa mismong itinayo ang paglalagyan ko po nung mga tao. Dahil po dito ay nakikita kong safety tsaka ito po ay makakatulong po sa mga kabataan,” Lagasca said.
 
The MPB in Belen includes a public toilet and a separate room that can be used for holding meetings.
 
A total of P11.7 million has been allocated for the two projects which were implemented under the agency's Basic Infrastructure Program.
 
It was funded under the 2022 national budget. (CLJD-PIA 3)