Dagupan’s island village gets funds to build evacuation center

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1941436949772/dagupan-s-island-village-gets-funds-to-build-evacuation-center
• Saturday, July 18, 2015

By April M. Montes (MCA/AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan with reports from CIO)

DAGUPAN CITY, July 18 (PIA) – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) turned-over on Monday the first tranche of more than P8 million as its share of a three-storey evacuation center project in the island barangay of Salapingao here.

Mayor Belen Fernandez received the check from DILG-Region 1 Director Julie Daquioag along with Engr. Sharwyn Sangel of the agency's Project Management and Development Unit (PDMU); Victoria Jean Dawis, cluster leader; and DILG City Director Rhoderick Dawis, during the flag raising ceremony at the People’s Astrodome.

The amount, which comprises 8o percent of the total fund allocation, came from the DILG's Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) fund to be boosted by a counterpart of P4.3 million from the Dagupan City government.

Dawis said that the remaining 20 percent from DILG will be released to the city as soon as the project is 90 percent complete and upon the completion of all the requirements.

“The project will soon start construction following revision of the minor details in the design of the building for it to conform to the requirements of our office for an evacuation center,” said Dawis.

Fernandez thanked the national government for the support as she reiterated the importance of the project in saving the lives and limbs of the people whenever storm surge or a tsunami hits the island barangay.

“We are happy because we can finally start the construction of our evacuation center in Salapingao which is a three-storey building with roof deck," Fernandez said.

She added that the city government's counterpart amounting to P4.3 million was made possible because of the sound financial status of the city at present.

“I am thankful to our employees because maganda ang collection natin sa ating mga markets. And this is because bawal ang magnanakaw dito sa ating lungsod. Kapag walang magnanakaw, lahat ng pondo ay mapupunta sa taumbayan at siyempre dapat ding maayos ang paggamit natin nito. These two will have to complement each other for a sound financial management,” said Fernandez.