House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (Facebook)

Citing the urgency of the measure, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said a landmark bill establishing a network of permanent and storm-proof evacuation centers nationwide will soon be passed by President Marcos.

Romualdez was referring to the proposed “Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act,” which he supported with his congressional colleagues. It mandates fully equipped and disaster prepared evacuation centers in every city and municipality in the Philippines.

Romualdez – arguably President Marcos’ top lieutenant not just in the legislature but in the entire government – made the announcement on Sunday, November 3, even as parts of the country continued to grapple with the effects of Typhoon Kristine.

“The devastation of the recent storms shows us the urgent need to act,” emphasized Romualdez, the leader of the House of Representatives, of more than 300 people.

“The Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act represents our commitment to protect every Filipino in times of crisis by ensuring that every city and municipality will have a safe, fully equipped center to shelter and support evacuees,” he added.

According to the congressman from Leyte’s 1st district, the proposed disaster-resilient facilities are designed as safe havens for millions of Filipinos and provide safe haven as the nation prepares for increasingly frequent and severe climate-related calamities.

Ligtas Pinoy literally means “to save the Filipinos”.

Officially designated as Chamber law (HB) no. 7354 and Senate law (SB) no. 2451, the measure is currently in the enrollment process and will soon be sent to Malacañang for signature.

Legislation requires that each center be built to withstand the increasingly severe climate events affecting the Philippines. The facilities will be built to withstand typhoon winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and seismic activity of up to 8.0 magnitude.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will lead the construction of these centers in coordination with local authorities, adhering to the strict standards of the National Building Code.

According to the draft law, priority will be given to high-risk, disaster-prone areas. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as the lead implementing agency, will coordinate with local authorities to determine where new centers are most urgently needed.

The facilities will include sleeping areas, health care stations, showers and toilets, and spaces for children and women, ensuring full accessibility for people with disabilities.

“Each center will be a stronghold where communities can find safety, comfort and the essentials they need during an emergency. These centers are more than buildings; they are our nation’s promise to leave no Filipino unprotected,” Romualdez emphasized.

The proposed law also allows local governments to designate existing structures as evacuation centers, provided they meet resiliency and accessibility requirements.

In addition to essential amenities, each Ligtas Pinoy center will include sanitation facilities, food preparation areas, emergency power and even designated areas for animals—recognizing that many Filipino families evacuate with animals essential to their livelihood.

The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations, experiences typhoons, floods and earthquakes every year. These calamities replace thousands at a time.

The President emphasized that this legislation is a significant step in the government’s broader climate resilience strategy. In addition, it responds to repeated calls from local communities for safe, resilient infrastructure that can withstand natural and man-made calamities.

“We are building a future where our communities are resilient, where our families are safe, and where our nation is prepared to deal with the growing impacts of climate change,” the President said.