Former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares has proposed a pragmatic solution to the country’s evacuation center crisis: repurpose expropriated Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hubs into temporary shelters for disaster victims. Many of these facilities, located in areas like Bamban, Porac, Bataan, Bulacan, and Cagayan, are spacious, structurally sound, and equipped with medical centers and other amenities. While their controversial history may render them unsuitable as schools, they can serve as dignified and immediate refuge for calamity victims, especially as the Permanent Evacuation Centers Bill remains pending.
This proposal addresses a glaring gap in disaster management: the chronic shortage of safe, well-equipped evacuation centers. Schools, often used as temporary shelters, disrupt education and lack the facilities needed to sustain evacuees for extended periods. Meanwhile, barangay halls and gymnasiums are overcrowded and offer little privacy or comfort.
In contrast, POGO hubs are designed to house large numbers of people, complete with dormitories, kitchens, and sanitation facilities. Their strategic locations in disaster-prone areas make them ideal for this purpose, easing the burden on schools and other communal spaces.
Converting POGO hubs into evacuation centers also sends a powerful message about prioritizing public welfare. The controversial operations of POGOs, often tied to economic and social issues, have left many communities skeptical of their value. Repurposing these buildings for disaster response transforms them into public assets, symbolizing a reclamation for the common good.
The sturdy construction of POGO hubs makes them particularly suited for disaster resilience. Built to accommodate hundreds of workers and withstand various conditions, these structures can provide reliable shelter during typhoons, floods, and earthquakes. By utilizing these ready-made facilities, the government can significantly reduce the cost and time required to establish new evacuation centers, ensuring that no Filipino is left vulnerable when calamities strike.
The Philippines’ vulnerability to extreme weather events is exacerbated by phenomena like La Niña, which brings above-average rainfall and increases the frequency and intensity of typhoons. This weather pattern, caused by the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, disrupts normal weather systems, resulting in excessive rainfall, flooding, and landslides. Climate change further intensifies these effects, leading to erratic and devastating typhoon activity. In recent years, the country has faced the alarming trend of multiple typhoons entering its territory in quick succession—sometimes three or more in a single week—overwhelming existing evacuation centers and disaster response systems.
Central and Northern Luzon, where many POGO hubs are located, are among the hardest-hit regions during La Niña episodes. Prolonged heavy rains and floods displace thousands of families, destroy livelihoods, and cripple infrastructure. The piling up of typhoons underscores the urgent need for more robust disaster preparedness strategies. Repurposing POGO hubs into evacuation centers offers a practical solution to these escalating challenges. With their spacious interiors, durable structures, and existing amenities, these facilities can serve as reliable and accessible shelters, providing safety and stability amid the worsening impact of climate change.