Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Thursday said the funding for the rehabilitation of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum in Naga City he helped secure addresses an urgent and growing public-safety need, especially amid continuous rains and floods.
“Kailangan ng Naga ng isang ligtas at gumaganang evacuation center. Prayoridad ni Mayor Leni ang kaligtasan ng mga Nagueño. Kaligtasan ng lahat ng Pilipino ang ating prayoridad,” said Pangilinan, who was the running-mate of former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo in the 2022 presidential elections.
Pangilinan was reacting to Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, who suggested that the ₱500 million national funding for the project could be President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s way of making Naga Mayor Leni Robredo a political ally.
“Siguro kailangan ni Erice na bumisita mismo sa Naga, tulad ng ginawa ko, para maintindihan niya ang pangangailangang i-repair at i-retrofit ang stadium kapag may mga baha, tulad noong nangyari ng 2024,” Pangilinan said.
In October 22 to 23, 2024, Naga City experienced its worst flooding (three to six feet in several areas) caused by the extreme rainfall (equivalent to two-and-a-half months of average rainfall) brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami). The disaster inundated large parts of the city (about 30% of Naga’s land area and 70% of its population) and the wider Bicol River Basin, triggering mass rescues, evacuations, disruption of transport and power services, and fatalities. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the flooding affected about 2.2 million people across the Bicol Region, killed at least eight, damaged nearly 5,750 homes, and made 169 roads and 26 bridges impassable. [1]
“Ang layon ng proyekto ay ang magligtas ng buhay.’Pag natapos na, at sa susunod na bagyo o lindol, ito’y magiging isang safe and habitable evacuation center,” he said.
Pangilinan said his office was among those that coordinated with the Office of the President, through Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, to help secure funding for the long-planned rehabilitation of the coliseum.
“It is a sound public investment: one expense, dual purpose. On ordinary days, it is a sports and civic facility. During disasters, it becomes a place where families can seek shelter,” he said.
The urgency of the project is underscored by recent flooding across the Philippines and the country’s growing exposure to climate shocks.
As of Sept. 7, almost 62,300 people were still staying in over 800 evacuation centers[2] because of recent tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon, while combined infrastructure and agricultural damage had reached ₱11.7 billion[3], according to the NDRRMC.
“Alam natin na nagiging mas madalas at mapanira ang extreme weather, at responsableng pamamahala ang paghahanda ng mga evacuation center,” the senator said.
The project includes structural strengthening, roofing and drainage upgrades, improved sanitation, a community kitchen, medical-response areas, sleeping spaces, and better power and ventilation.
“Nilalayon ng proyekto na gawing mas ligtas na evacuation center ang isang lumang pampublikong gusali. Nilalayon nitong magkaroon ng kakayahang magsilbi sa mga pamilya sa panahon ng mga sakuna,” Pangilinan said.