Evac sites, student loan freeze laws okayed

(SUNSTAR) PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed two laws on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. One mandates the construction of storm-resilient evacuation centers, while the other provides financial relief to students in calamity-declared areas.

During a ceremony in Malacañang, Marcos said the enactment of the laws underscores the government’s commitment to protecting families and students affected by calamities. 

Nationwide network

The first law, Republic Act (RA) 12076, or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, mandates the establishment of a nationwide network of permanent, storm-resilient evacuation centers. These facilities are designed to withstand typhoon winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and earthquakes of up to magnitude 8.0. 

The evacuation centers will be equipped with sleeping areas, health care stations, sanitation facilities and provisions for livestock. They will prioritize high-risk and disaster-prone areas. 

“Investing in these climate-resilient facilities must be the norm for we are not only protecting the people’s lives but also capacitating our local government units to respond, to reduce, and to manage the risks of disasters,” Marcos said in his speech.

The President urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure the timely completion of the centers, especially in disaster-prone areas. 

Student loan 

Meanwhile, RA 12077, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, provides financial relief to students in calamity-declared areas. It allows them to defer loan payments for higher education and technical-vocational training programs during and after emergencies, without incurring penalties or interest. 

“The benevolence of this law allows disaster-affected students and their families to have breathing space as they recuperate and rebuild their lives,” Marcos said.

He called on the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to extend all necessary assistance to students, ensuring financial hardship does not hinder their education. 

Marcos thanked members of both chambers of Congress for passing these laws. / PNA