00:00President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. passed the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act as an effective law.
00:07It aims to create safer evacuation centers that can be used in times of calamity.
00:13Kenneth Paciente of PTV Manila returns for Balitang Pabansa.
00:19After the next strong storm hit the country,
00:23it is undeniable that millions of Filipinos were affected,
00:27including the destruction of their homes.
00:30To ensure that the affected individuals will have a place to stay during the storm,
00:34President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act,
00:41which aims to create safer evacuation centers in different cities and municipalities in the country
00:47that are strong and capable of providing temporary,
00:50but safe housing for those affected by calamity.
00:54Although it is not a target to use such facilities,
00:58the President insisted that they should still invest in infrastructure.
01:02We need to ensure that the evacuation centers sufficiently respond to the needs of our people
01:09affected by calamities and other such emergencies.
01:15Investing in these climate resilient facilities must be the norm,
01:19for we are not only protecting the people's lives,
01:22but also capacitating our local government units to respond,
01:27to reduce, and to manage the risks of disasters.
01:30The government also agreed to the call of the DepEd
01:34that schools should not be used as evacuation centers for a long time
01:38because it affects the students' studies.
01:42Schools are supposed to be sanctuaries for learning, creativity, and growth.
01:47They should not also bear the burden of being makeshift shelters.
01:52With the enactment of this law,
01:54we have that appeal, we heed that appeal,
01:57and commit to only using our schools for the promotion of our students' welfare
02:02and development of the education system.
02:05Next, the President ordered the DPWH to establish evacuation centers
02:11that are anchored in the National Building Code
02:14and are based on the needs of a place.
02:17They should also be climate change resilient,
02:20especially when it comes to earthquakes.
02:23Meanwhile, the government will also support the students
02:26who are affected by disasters,
02:28and those who live in places under the state of calamity,
02:32through the cancellation of their student loan
02:35without a penalty and interest,
02:37especially after the earthquake.
02:40Under the Student Loan Payment Moratorium
02:42during Disasters and Emergencies Act,
02:45which was also signed by the President,
02:46according to the Executive,
02:48this is a way to alleviate the financial burden of students and their families.
02:53The benevolence of this law allows the disaster-affected students and their families
02:58to have a breathing space as they recuperate and rebuild their lives.
03:03It is our hope that this law will help lessen the financial burden
03:07off of our students' shoulders as they continue their schooling.
03:12The Chief Executives of CHED and TESDA
03:15are also directive to ensure that the education of disadvantaged students
03:20in the face of calamity will not be hampered.
03:21They also invite legislators to help implement the so-called laws
03:26that are in line with the needs of many Filipinos.
03:29From PTV Manila,
03:31Kenneth Paciente,
03:33Balitang Pambansa.
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