Pre-Empting Disaster:

The Vinzons EVACUATION CENTER Project By: LT COL LYNDON J SOLLESTA CE (GSC) PA

Disasters and calamities, either man-made or of natural occurrence causes severe devastation to crops, properties and worst, loss of human lives. It is in this premise that preparedness is emphasized to reduce its effect and prevent death and countless injuries. Regardless of origin - from typhoons to earthquakes - disasters can seem overwhelming. Yet their impact need not be crippling. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), National Government Agencies (NGA's) and Local Government Executives (LGE's) are joined in a coordinated effort to understand disasters, learn its dangers and find ways to anticipate and counter them or at least minimize their effects.

Calaguas Island is part of the Municipality of Vinzons, about 55 nautical miles north of Daet, the capital town of Camarines Norte and could be reached by a 2 ½ hour ride on a motorized banca under normal sea conditions. It has 3 barangays with almost 3,000 upward inhabitants mostly living in makeshift shelters that could not even withstand a Signal Nr 1 typhoon.

The Total Government Response:

Through the initiative of Vice Governor Roy A. Padilla Jr, of Daet, Camarines Norte and with the immediate response of Defense Secretary Gilberto O. Teodoro Jr , the amount of P 1 Million was release for the Construction of one (1) unit Evacuation Center at Sitio Biday in Barangay Banocboc of Calaguas chargeable against the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Calamity Assistance and Rehabilitation Effort (CARE) with the Army's 51st Engineer Brigade under BGEN FELIZARDO A SIMOY AFP as the Project Administrator.

Wasting no time, 51EBde mobilize the 565th Engineer Construction Battalion for its implementation. The 128 sq.m concrete and steel structure was sited in a reverse-slope located below a hill with the building eaves facing the shoreline. In this manner, minimum building area is expose from the raging Northeasterly winds, thus giving the structure maximum strength and protection from being torn-away by typhoons. It was implemented on 28 Nov 2008 and completed on 14 Feb 2009, as a modest Valentines Gift and authentic government action on the safety of its residents.

The arduous tasked of hauling construction materials over a large body of water characterized by strong winds, utilization of available small commercial sea crafts, lack of electricity for welding works and relentless battering of monsoon rains constitute as the critical factors in project undertakings. But perhaps with the sheer determination, initiative and attitude of the engineer-soldiers, the project was completed once again proving that Engineers could get the job done. . . and does it well.

Brgy Capt Adolfo A Pajarillo and his constituents expressed their profound gratitude to the joint endeavor. The ARMY is always preparing for the worst, as events beyond our control may trigger disasters, and careful preparation is our responsibility – and often within our means.

The completed EVACUATION CENTER at Calaguas Island, Vinzons CAM NORTE.

The Author is a member of OCS (Pioneer) Class 01-88 and is the Commanding Officer of the 565th Engineer Construction Battalion, 51EBDE, PA stationed at Camp Martillana, Pili, Camarines Sur.