The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has expressed its full support for the expansion of the Support and Assistance to Participatory Budgeting (SAFPB) project, which now includes the construction of evacuation centers in local government units (LGUs) without permanent facilities.

The move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for more climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in vulnerable areas frequently affected by natural disasters.

Originally focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) projects, the SAFPB initiative now extends to disaster-resilient and climate-adaptive infrastructure to better address the needs of communities at risk. The project’s expanded scope also supports the implementation of Republic Act No. 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which requires the establishment of permanent evacuation centers in every city and municipality in the country.

“The program’s recent expansion from a focus on WaSH projects to the inclusion of disaster-resilient and climate-adaptive infrastructure is a reflection of how responsive and adaptive we are at addressing evolving challenges on the ground,” said DILG Undersecretary Atty. Jon Paulo Salvahan during the recent launch of SAFPB for FY 2025.

SAFPB, which started in 2024, promotes participatory governance, encouraging collaboration between local leaders and civil society organizations (CSOs) in identifying and implementing solutions to pressing community needs.

For 2025, ₱233 million of the total ₱700 million SAFPB allocation has been earmarked for the construction of climate-smart evacuation centers in nine municipalities, each receiving ₱25.92 million.

The beneficiaries are located in some of the country’s most disaster-prone provinces, as identified in the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2030. These include: Buguey, Cagayan; Macalelon, Quezon; Lagonoy, Camarines Sur; Borbon, Cebu; Balangiga, Eastern Samar; Leyte, Leyte; Tabontabon, Leyte; Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur; and Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur.

The DILG trained local engineers on the preparation of detailed engineering designs (DEDs) that comply with national standards and promote structural resilience. All evacuation center projects are expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.

The DILG will closely monitor implementation through its SubayBAYAN portal, alongside regular field inspections and third-party oversight involving non-governmental organizations and CSOs to ensure transparency and accountability.

“The DILG will be subjecting these projects to monitoring and evaluation. It will be subjected to third-party monitoring. We will be engaging NGOs and CSOs to help us monitor the projects,” said DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan.

As a key national agency tasked with strengthening local governance, the DILG reaffirms its commitment to supporting LGUs in building disaster-resilient infrastructure and improving community preparedness.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILGs-SAFB-project-expands-to-address-evacuation-center-gaps-in-disaster-prone-LGUs/NC-2025-1196