CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction

What is Catastrophe?

A disaster or an event causing serious damage to the property and people.

Catastrophes can be natural and human inflicted. Natural disasters are
typhoon/storms, landslide, liquefaction, floods, earthquake, volcanic eruption,
tsunami, and wildfire. On the other hand, there are those tragedies such as: war,
holocaust, terrorism, pandemic, etc. Having these kind of disasters, it can cause a
large number of evacuees who needs to stay in evacuation centers.

What is Evacuation Center?

Evacuation centers are usually large facilities that can accommodate people in
case of disasters, like typhoons, flash floods, tsunami, landslide, fire and earthquake.
Nowadays, they are typically use the school gyms, churches, or other community
buildings that have room for people to sleep, usually on cots, and have adequate
bathroom facilities. There is some privacy (bathrooms and showers) but there are
usually no private rooms or secured areas. Evacuation Centers are established to
provide for the instantaneous and crucial needs of the affected community in the short
term.

1.2 Background of the Study

In the past two decades, Philippines endured a total of 274 natural calamities,
making it the fourth most disaster-prone country in the world.

Philippines is exposed in the different kinds of calamities such as: Typhoons, Flash
Floods, Tsunami, Landslide, Fire and Earthquake. Typhoons can hit Philippines a
times a year, within the months of June to September being the most active, August
being the most active individual month and May the least active. Storms regularly
make landfall on the island of Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, and Northern Luzon.
Floods can easily occur even with the light precipitation and with continuous heavy
downpour, even the roads and highways begin flowing with floodwater. Typhoons and
floods usually hit Metro Manila, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4A and 4B and other
parts of Visayas.

In a country visited yearly by around 20 typhoons and other types of disasters, and
to further improve disaster management in the country, the government started
allocating more funds to build evacuation centers and disasters equipment. The
preparation and response to typhoons is coordinates by the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Each provincial and local
 government in the Philippines is required to set aside a 5% of its yearly budget for
disaster risk reduction, preparations, and response.

Philippines is situated in the heart of the typhoon belt and along the Ring of Fire,
a massive Pacific Ocean region that causes disaster and may result in an tremendous
number of evacuees staying in evacuation centers not only safe refuge but for post-
event rehabilitation which could be for significantly long time.

Needless to say, such evacuation centers should have sufficient running water,
electricity, segregated toilets, kitchen and laundry facilities, a playground in the
premises to keep children occupied, and enough provisions to keep evacuees from
returning to their homestead even while the area is still in a state of calamity.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

Rep. Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa said that determining of evacuation centers

should be permanent or movable depends on whether these suits the particular
calamity in a given area. “For hazards of long duration, like volcanic eruption in Albay,
there may be a need for permanent evacuation centers. For storms, temporary
shelters shall suffice. For tsunami or storm surges, the residents in the area should
go farther from the shore and into an elevated area” he said. Rep. Emmi de Jesus
Gabriela, the practice of using schools as evacuation centers has to stop. She said
that this hinders children’s education from returning to normal because families
cannot yet vacate school premises without decent houses to come home to.
“Permanent evacuation centers located at the safest areas in the country must be
established and constructed within internationally acceptable standards” she said.

The province of Aurora lies within the typhoon belt and faces the Pacific Ocean
and has no barriers to shield it from typhoons coming the east. The needs of the
evacuees of having a better evacuation center must be resolve.

Moreover, the municipality of Casiguran, Aurora was acclaimed as a “model in

disaster risk management and reduction.”.

1.3.1 Major Problem

Evacuation centers in the Philippines should be strategically and safety

located and equipped with as many emergency supplies as possible. However,
this center should be use for other purposes in other times, may be considered
only for activities that can be disrupted without complications on its main
purpose.

1.3.2 Minor Problems

 Alternative solution in lack of water and power to sustain the needs of the
evacuees.
− The proper materials to be used in the proposed project.
− Poor sanitation that can causes spread of diseases.
− Medical assistance for the victims.
− Sources of power and water.
− Privacy, safety, rights and responsibilities of the users.
− Circulation of the users.
− Sexual equality.

1.4 Research Objectives

− To have a better understanding of the service quality dimensions that satisfy

the needs of users.
− To analyze the relationship of public concerns and architectural solution
− To review the municipality profile of Baler, Aurora Province
− To identify the design characteristics of a building based on the related
literature and studies.
− To develop formulating an adequate solution in designing an evacuation
center.

1.5 Significance of the Study

Furthermore, this study was anticipated to contribute and to serve the following
individuals and organization:

For us, researchers – this study will serve as our project requirement in the
completion of our course and will challenge us to design and plan strategically and
logically with the help of reliable sources and references.

For students and Architecture Professors – This can be their guide, especially the
Architecture students, in designing and planning an evacuation center.

For future researchers – This study can be a useful research instrument as their
guide and reference in conducting further relevant study in particular in the
Architecture field.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This research covers the Evacuation Centers that focusing and centralized the
Architectural planning and designing of that specific project with the help of
researching a case studies and reviewing of related literature as a guide reference to
our study and to expand our knowledge about the specific project that it talk about.
 Furthermore, the data and information based on the limited sources from the
internet such as: provincial government website, NDRRMC website and other
government owned websites.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Evacuation Center – is the urgent immediate egress or escape of people away from
an area that contains an imminent threat, an ongoing threat or a hazard to lives
or property.

Disaster resilience – is the ability of individuals, communities, organizations and

states to adapt to and recover from hazards, shocks or stresses without
compromising long-term prospects for development.

Calamity – an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.

Flood – can happen on flat or low-lying areas when water is supplied by rainfall or
snowmelt more rapidly than it can either infiltrate or run off. The excess
accumulates in place, sometimes to hazardous depths.

Earthquake – is the shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden
release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves.
Earthquakes can range in size from those that are so weak that they cannot be
felt to those violent enough to toss people around and destroy whole cities.

Tsunami – is a series of waves in a water body caused by the displacement of a large

volume of water, generally in an ocean or a large lake.
 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES, AND RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY

2.1 Related Literature

2.1.1 Foreign Related Literature

Document Name: Major Evacuation Centres: Public Health Considerations

Author branch: Office of the Chief Health Officer; New South Wales Ministry
of Health, Government of Australia

PHYSICAL AMENITIES

Selection of an evacuation centre site and management of the centre is the

responsibility of other agencies. The information below provides guidance for
public health services if they are asked to provide advice as to the adequacy of
planned facilities.

Location

Where possible and safe, evacuees should be accommodated near to their

homes. If the nature of the emergency is such that the evacuation site is likely
to be affected (e.g. power, water and/or sanitation failures) then it is preferable
to move people to a site of safety.

Any building should be structurally sound and have sufficient fire and
emergency exits.

The facility will likely be caring for those with limited physical mobility –
including those in wheelchairs, those using mobility aids and those with very
young children in prams.

Areas required

The centre may require:

• Administration/staff area
• Registration area
• Mud/disinfecting area (to prevent mud and debris being tracked into the
building – this will simplify cleaning and also reduce the risk of falls on wet
floors)
• Sleeping area (including “addresses” within the sleeping area so that
evacuees can be easily located for follow-up of social or medical issues)
• Eating area
• Shower and toilet facilities
• Kitchen/food preparation area
• Handwashing stations
• Rubbish collection area
• Clinic area
• Isolation area for potentially infectious people
• Laundry
• Recreation areas (e.g. play area)
• Special purpose areas (e.g. depending on the population, a prayer area)

Physical space and air circulation

Living areas should be well ventilated with a reasonable supply of fresh air
available.

People should have sufficient covered living space providing thermal

comfort, fresh air and protection from the climate ensuring their privacy, safety
and health and enabling essential household and livelihood activities to be
undertaken. A covered floor area in excess of 3.5m2 per person will often be
required to meet these considerations.

The floor-to-ceiling height is also a key factor, with greater height being
preferable in hot and humid climates to aid air circulation.

Safety, privacy, rights and responsibilities

Where possible, families should be accommodated together. Well-planned

access routes through the evacuation centre should be highlighted. Materials
to screen personal space and opportunities for internal subdivision within the
evacuation centre should be provided. Individual spaces can aid the provision
of adequate privacy and safety.

People seeking or receiving assistance in an evacuation centre and those

who provide that care have the right to be treated with respect. All care will be
provided in a manner that shows courtesy and consideration for a person’s
culture, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, issues arising from a disability and
right to privacy.

Water requirements

The quantities of water needed for domestic use may vary according to the
climate, the sanitation facilities available, people's normal habits, their religious
and cultural practices, the food they cook, the clothes they wear, and so on.

In an absolute emergency 7L per person per day of water should be

provided. Ideally at least 15L per person per day should be supplied for
drinking, cooking and personal hygiene requirements.
Personal hygiene

Good personal hygiene should be promoted throughout the centre. Hand

hygiene and good respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes) should
be promoted with education materials and distribution of equipment (e.g.
alcohol-based hand cleanser, tissues, and rubbish bins) if possible. Separate
handwashing stations should be set up near toilet and meal areas and there
should be systems in place to ensure high compliance (e.g. staff member
monitoring station to ensure that people wash their hands before lining up in
queue to collect meal).

A ratio of one shower per 50 people is suggested if the weather is temperate

and one shower per 30 people in hot weather.

Toilets

Ideally there should be a maximum of 20 people for each available toilet. In

the initial phases of the emergency a figure of 50 people per toilet may be used
until additional facilities are available. Use of toilets could be arranged by
households and/or segregated by sex. The allocation of toilets may depend on
the demographics of the evacuees (e.g. predominantly male vs. predominantly
female).

Toilets should be sited in such a way as to minimize threats to users

(particularly children and females). This includes appropriate lighting, or
provision of torches to those in the evacuation centre.

There should be one wash basin per 10 people. Soap, water and hand
towels should be available in the toilets for hand washing. Posters promoting
hand washing should be available in the toilet block.

Recreation area

A safe, secure recreation area should be put aside for children and adults.
Children and adults will need an area for physical activity such as sport and
games. Children may also require an indoor area for more passive activities.

Laundry (where available)

Laundry should be processed off-site as far as possible or undertaken in an

area separate to personal hygiene facilities. If laundry facilities are provided
there should be one wash stand per 100 people.
 Garbage (solid waste management)

Garbage should be placed in an area separated from the living spaces,

preferably in garbage bins. Garbage bins should have tight fitting lids to
discourage vermin.

There should be at least one 100L bin per 40 people. The bin should have
a tight fitting lid and be changed every 2 days. There should be 2.5 garbage
collectors for litter control per 1000 residents.

2.1.2 Local Related Literature

Document Title: House Bill No. 5867 - Evacuation Center Act

Sec. 4 : Facility Requirements - The following shall be the minimum

requirements for every evacuation center that will be established under this
act:

A. Location - The evacuation center should not be at risk of isolation. It should

be located at a safe distance from danger areas or hazards. The Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) of the local
government unit (LGU) concerned shall coordinate with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources to determine the appropriate location
of the evacuation center.

The following shall be considered in identifying an ideal site for an

evacuation center:
a. Drainage;
b. Elevation;
c. Protection from strong winds;
d. Accessibility to and proximity from the vulnerable community;
e. Availability of the following in the immediate vicinity:
- Parking areas for emergency and other vehicles
- Allocated area for additional portable toilets
- Storage tanks for potable and non-potable water
- Safe shelter for livestock

B. Structural Capacity - New evacuation centers and improvements in schools

used as an evacuation center which will be constructed after the effectivity
of this Act must be made of construction materials which are in accordance
with the specifications of Republic Act No. 6541, otherwise known as the
"National Building Code of the Philippine" and be able to wind stand wind
speeds of three hundred twenty (320) kilometers per hour or two hundred
(200) miles per hour and moderate seismic activity of at least 7.2
magnitude.
 The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall be
responsible in formulating the appropriate specifications for evacuation
centers and to ensure compliance with these specifications during the
construction of evacuation centers. The specifications shall be periodically
reviewed and, if necessary, revised by the DPWH every three years.

C. Suitability and Capacity of Premises - If the building is not primarily a

shelter or permanent site as an evacuation center, considerations should
be made on its impact to normal business if its operation as an evacuation
center is prolonged or its normal function is taken off for an extended period
of time.

The number and diversity of evacuees as well as public health and

safety should be considered in the suitability of the premises.

It must likewise be able to provide electricity, back-up power supply,

water, sewerage system, solid waste management, and physical mobility
for people with mobility aids.

D. Physical Amenities - The evacuation and relief center should be able to

provide the following minimum facilities:

a. Sleeping area
b. Eating area
c. Shower and toilet facilities which should accommodate twenty (20)
people per shower room or toilet room, and should be utilized according
to gender
d. Kitchen or Food preparation area
e. Trash collection area
f. Clinic area including an isolation area for potentially infectious people
g. Laundry Area
h. Recreation area
i. Pet and livestock holding area

E. Food Safety - Kitchen and dining facilities should be able to cater for the
number of people in the evacuation center. Food preparation and storage
facilities should comply with satisfactory standards of the Department of
Health on cleanliness to minimize the potential for contamination and
invasion of insects and pests.

2.2 Case Study

2.2.1 Foreign Case Study

Project Title: Kumamoto Municipal Nagamine Elementary School

Project Location: Kumamoto, Japan

AAR JAPAN is carrying out sanitization projects for approximately 1000

victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake living in evacuation centers. Rising
temperatures and humidity have led to a deterioration in sanitary conditions at
evacuation centers. At locations surveyed by AAR JAPAN, blankets and
mattresses distributed after the earthquake were getting dirtier, and some had
even developed mold and ticks due to long use without being washed or aired.
The great numbers of flies and mosquitoes that have bred in the areas
surrounding the evacuation centers have had a further negative effect on
sanitary conditions.

Asthmatic evacuees have suffered due to the increase in household dust

and ticks brought about by the impossibility of regular cleaning and laundering.
In addition, evacuees with eczema and skin allergies have been facing
aggravated symptoms due to ticks and excessive perspiration in the summer
heat.

To reduce the health hazard, AAR JAPAN has been changing bedclothes,
airing out futons, carrying out general cleaning, and handing out blanket dryers,
vacuum cleaners, electrical fans, dehumidifiers, cleaning tools, fly paper, and
insecticides, as well as giving instructions on their use. We collected all the old
dirty blankets, and are delivering new cotton blankets and other bedclothes for
summer use. To prevent food poisoning, we are also delivering refrigerators to
evacuation centers in need of one.
 Japan, which has its ample share of devastating disasters, has put up
emergency shelters designed by renowned architect Shigeru Ban who devised
a simple partition made of paper tubes that can connect to each other and serve
as columns, beams and joints. White canvas sheets attached to the frame and
held together with safety pins assure privacy.

2.2.2 Local Case Study

Project Title: Three-Storey Evacuation Center in Dagupan City

Project Location: Barangay Salapingao, Dagupan City, Pangasinan

A newly- inaugurated three- story evacuation center funded under the

Bottom- Up Budgeting of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) is expected to benefit 617 households of Barangay Salapingao,
Dagupan City.
 The spacious evacuation center can accommodate over 1,000 evacuees
with basic amenities such as potable water; electricity; comfort rooms for
females, males and persons with disabilities (PWDs); communal kitchen; dining
and laundry area. Other equally important components include a Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office, clinic infirmary, breastfeeding
area, stock room and a roof deck.

The facility, which has a land area of 1,236 square meters, has a total
project cost of Php 15,100,400 (Php 10,786,000 from the DILG- BUB and Php
4,314,400 counterpart from the City Government).

The City Mayor said that the construction of the evacuation center plays a
significant role in their efforts to save lives during the occurrence of any
disaster.

Dagupan is a coastal city of Pangasinan perched on a wetland and within

the typhoon belt. Its inherent geological and geophysical characteristics made
the city very susceptible to various natural hazards. Barangay Salapingao is
one of its five island barangays vulnerable to typhoons, storm surge,
destructive flooding and earthquakes.

The barangay, which is barely a kilometer away from the Lingayen Gulf and
2.5 km away from the city proper, can only be reached by motorized banca. Its
location poses a challenge for city and barangay officials to ensure the safety
of barangay residents during disasters.

Prior to the construction of the evacuation center, residents only have

school classrooms and few sturdy structures to take refuge in during typhoons
and flooding. With the completion of the facility, they are now assured of a safe
shelter located in an elevated area and structurally- designed to withstand
strong typhoons and even earthquakes. The evacuation center is expected to
have indirect benefits to residents of two other adjacent island barangays -
Lomboy and Pugaro.

Project Title: Regional Evacuation Centers in Panay Island

Project Location: San Jose, Antique, Panay Island

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VI

allocated P216.0 million for the construction of six regional evacuation centers
in various areas in Panay Island.
 PERSPECTIVE of the Regional Evacuation Center in San Jose, Antique

According to Engr. Oliver E. Zamora, chief of the Maintenance Division, two

of these centers are ongoing in San Jose, Antique and another in Roxas City,
Capiz.

Each evacuation center costs an estimated P36 million.

Zamora added that the remaining four centers will be constructed in Kalibo,
Aklan; Libertad, Antique; Carles, Iloilo; and Zarraga, Iloilo.

“The evacuation center proposed to be constructed in Libertad, Antique,

which was identified during the recent meeting with the Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), however, it is subject to
geohazard screening by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB),” said
Zamora.

“Each evacuation center has a lot area of roughly 3,000 square meters and
floor area of 1,600 square meters,” he added.

The center includes an accommodation building that can house around 33

families or 130 persons, five toilets and bath for males, females and for persons
with disability (PWD), generator room, pump room, laundry area, water tanks
with a capacity of 6,000 gallons, a cistern tank with the capacity of 16,000
gallons and a materials recovery facility (MRF).

Also included in the center is the infirmary building, which will serve as a
hospital for the sick and injured evacuees.

The pharmacy will also be provided inside this building for quick medical
response during the calamity.
 An office for DRRMC and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) will also be
provided on the second floor of this building.

Once completed, the regional evacuation centers will help the people of
Panay in minimizing the risk and ensuring their safety especially in times of
calamities and disasters.

“These centers will provide temporary refuge to individuals and families

potentially at risk or in actual danger,” said Zamora. (DPWH-6/RPAIO)

Project Title: Capiz Regional Evacuation Center

Project Location: Milibili, Roxas City, Capiz, Panay Island

The construction of the P34.740 million worth of regional evacuation center

for the province of Capiz is currently in full swing, according to the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VI.

Regional Director Wenceslao M. Leaño Jr. inspected the project recently,

along with Assistant Regional Director Jose Al V. Fruto, Maintenance chief
Engr. Oliver E. Zamora, Planning and Design chief Engr. Marilou G. Zamora
and Regional Public Affairs and Information Office.

Leaño instructed the project engineer and the Maintenance Division to

hasten the completion of the project so it can immediately cater the public when
need arises.

The evacuation center is situated in the highland barangay of Milibili in

Roxas City, within the proposed Roxas City Eco-Tourism site, which is totally
flood-free.

“Maganda at matibay ang pundasyon na kahit malakas ang ulan at hangin

ay hindi basta magigiba ang building (the foundation is good and strong that
even strong wind and rain cannot easily destroy the building),” Leaño said.
 Assistant Regional Director Jose Al V. Fruto also said that since the
buildings are constructed on a slope, flooding could be prevented.

The evacuation center includes the 2-storey accommodation building,

which can cater 33 families or 130 individuals, with prayer room,
communication area and storage room, convertible to play area in compliance
to the Republic Act 10821 or the “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection
Act.”

Other than the main building, the project involves construction of male and
female toilet and bath, generator room, pump room, laundry/drying area, and
materials recovery facility (MRF).

In addition, the center has an infirmary building that will serve as hospital
for the sick or injured evacuees, with pharmacy and an office for Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council (DRRMC) and Office of the Civil Defense
(OCD).

According to Engr. Zamora, the center is also compliant to the requirements

of Batas Pambansa (BP) 344 Accessibility Law.

“Every building has standard ramps, persons with disability (PWD) comfort
rooms and wheelchair access ways for PWD evacuees,” Zamora said. (DPWH-
6/RPAIO)
2.3 Research Paradigm

An IPO (Input – Process – Output) diagram covers all the data and information
required for the process, details, descriptions and the product from the process.

2.4 Research Methods

2.4.1 Research Design Used

The current study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methodology

which includes using of different techniques such as: Documents and Records;
Ethnographies, Oral History, and Case Studies; and Observations. Using
qualitative method would help to uncover trends in thought and opinions, and
dive deeper into the problem through observations. On the other hand,
qualitative method would be used for generating numerical data or usable
statistics, and for measurable data.

The data collected in this study will be use to formulate concepts, study the
context of the project, boundaries of the development such as laws that may
affect the progress of the project. These methods are useful in gathering
information and data like statistical records, laws, ordinances and other data
related to the study.

2.4.2 Source of Data

 2.4.2.1 Primary Source

• Evacuation Center Act, House Bill No. 5867

• Accessibility Law, Batas Pambansa 344

2.4.2.2 Secondary Source

• National Building Code of the Philippines, Presidential

Decree No. 1096
• Fire Code of the Philippines, Republic Act 9514
• Major Evacuation Centres: Public Health Considerations, by
Office of the Chief Health Officer (NSW Government)
• National Risk Reduction and Management
• Department of Public Workers and Highways
• Engr. Manuel Q. Hernandez, Municipal Planning and
Development Coordinator (2nd Floor Executive Bldg. Municipal
Plaza, Baler, Aurora)
− Provided data such as: Comprehensive Land Use Plan
(CLUP), Socio-Economic Profile and Municipality Maps.

2.4.3 Sampling Techniques Used

Documents and Records

− It consists of examining existing data in the form of database,
reports, financial records, newsletters, books, memorandum, etc.
− This can be an inexpensive way to gather information but may be
an incomplete data source

Ethnographies, Oral History, and Case Studies

− Involves studying a single phenomenon
− Examines people in their natural settings
− Uses a combination of techniques such as observation,
interviews, and surveys

Observations
− Allows for the study of the dynamics of a situation, frequency
counts of target behaviors, or other behaviors as indicated by
needs of the evaluation
 − Good source for providing additional information about a
particular group
− Can produce qualitative (e.g., narrative data) and quantitative
data (e.g., frequency counts, mean length of interactions, and
instructional time);

2.4.4 Data Gathering Procedures

Researching Process
− involves a systematic process that focuses on being objective
and gathering a multitude of data for analysis so that the
researcher can come to a conclusion.

Case Studies
− Assessing existing projects and facilities that related to the
proposed project and analyze the major and minor problems in
design in of the existing facilities.
− It emphasize detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of
events or conditions and their relationships.