TITLE: MULTI-PURPOSE COMMUNITY CENTER-CUM-EVACUATION

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TITLE
Multi-Purpose Commuity Center-cum-Evacuation Center

A Thesis Proposal Submitted to the

College of Architecture

University of Santo Tomas

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements

for the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

GO, DANIELLE ANGELA C.

5AR – 2

September 2019
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Chapter I: Introduction

1.1. Background and Nature of the Project

The main concern of Local Government Units (LGUs) is the well-being of the people

it governs. aim to raise awareness on disaster risk reduction management As natural

disasters continue to increase in gravity, the demand for evacuation centers for the

displaced victims

The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (PDRRMA) of 2010

transformed Philippine disaster management and established a comprehensive system

to managing disasters. The PDRRMA created the National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (NDRRMC) to spearhead movements in managing disasters.

LGUs are expected to create and carry out their own disater risk reduction and

mangement plan consistent with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Plan for the general well-being of its constituents.

In times of disaster, the LGU is expected to provide leadership and coordination and

readily mobilize and deliver material resources. The center will serve as the storage and

handling facility of all relief goods for the community at the time of disaster. The LGU

is tasked on the ratinalization of needs and allocation of resources when needed.

The TITLE: Multi-Purpose Community Center-cum-Evacuation Center is a facility for

the procurement, storage, and deployment of relief goods in response of a disaster. In

the past years it has been recognized that the facility is in need for improvement as it

was realized that disaster response in the country has been insufficient.
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1.2. Statement of the Problem

There is no such thing as natural disasters, only natural hazards. Disaster is defined as

a type of hazardous event in which there is significant disruption of all or part of society

(United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction, 2015). With proper disaster

management, disaster from natural hazards can be avoided.

Figure 1.2.1 Problem tree from DSWD AO No. 03 Series of 2015: The problem tree

recognizes that there is a a need for better logistics and supply chain management,

more trained staff as reserve manpower when the need and demand arises, clearer
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delineation of duties and robust communication lines, and better coordination and

maximization of capacity of partner agencies and local governments.

A paper released by the Asian Development Bank (2017) revealed that “according to

the Climate Risk Index, the Philippines was the fifth most risk-prone country in the

world in 1994 to 2013.” The paper also showed the seven most vulnerable cities in the

Philippines when the sea-level rises one meter. Four out of the seven cities are located

in Metro Manila, namely: Caloocan, Malabon, Manila, and Taguig. According to the

Reaching the Urban Poor (RUP) Approach of the World Health Organization, three of

the four cities, Caloocan, Malabon, and Taguig are included in the implementation of

the RUP Approach to address the inequities in health.

Most evacuation centers in the Philippines are schools. Though evacuation is

temporary, it could take weeks or months for evacuees to return to their homes to the

have new shelter. This affects the students’ educational development since their

classrooms are being used by evacuees. Moreover, the country’s evacuation centers are

not equipped with the proper facilities for habitation of evacuees, especially those with

special needs.

There is a lack of knowledge regarding on the steps to take even before disasters strike

for both the government and the public. There is a logistical nightmare between

agencies during the attempt of the delivering relief and aid as to respond to disasters.

As a result, the turn-around time for devastated areas takes longer which affects their

income generation and quality of life.

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1.3. Project Goals and Objectives

1.3.1 Project Goals

1. To house a wide variety of community services and organizations requiring a

building for its purposes, considering the nature and scope of services offered

2. To house the heads of the departments concerned in the creation and

implementation of a disaster risk reduction and management plan and the

community affected and displaced by a disaster

3. To accommodate programs and initiatives that promote awareness on proper

disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation

1.3.2 Project Objectives

1. To build upon and showcase the established culture and spirit of the community

and its organizations and cooperatives

2. To observe the correct protocol in administering evacuation from informing the

concerned authorities to the execution to mobilizing the community safely and

securely

3. To establish initiatives and programs that encourage the community to practice

disaster risk reduction and management activities

1.4. Significance of the Project

The thesis will help the government realize the potential of multi-purpose structures;

that they are not limited to creating schools and gymnasiums which also limits the target
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users. By designing a community center, this enables the people to form cooperatives

and plan seminars and events that supports the community’s need for realization and

development of their ideas on the betterment of quality of life in the community.

The study presents a holistic approach and will set a new standard to evacuation centers

for the community in the Philippines. The facility will ensure the

the faster and better response to disaster-stricken areas. The goal is to provide the

facility with the architectural solutions that responds to the problems in the efficiency

and effectivity of disaster reponse. Futhermore, the project will include programs with

results-based tracking will be adopted to increase the quality and speed of

reconstruction and align projects with real needs.

1.5. Scope and Limitations

The coverage of this project will the establishment of a new community center which

can be utilized as a evacuation center when the needs arises. Incorporating the programs

and standards set by the LGU, with newly established initiatives for the improvement

of the community’s well-being and disaster risk reduction management.

The nature of services will be dependent on the needs and requirements of the

community. The community center will be the embodiment of the community’s culture.

It includes but not limited to library services, sports, community events, seminars, and

workshops that aid in the growth of the community.

Initiatives and programs will be established that focuses on the disaster risk reduction

management of communities. Community-centric activities can help spread awareness

on disaster risk reduction management. These activities will be organized by the

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authorities on the disaster risk reduction management of the community, which will be

housed in the center.

At the on-set of a disaster, this will serve as a coordinating center for the evacuation

committee and an evacuation center of the affected persons until they are able to go

back to their homes.

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Chapter II: Review of Related Literature

2.1. Theoretical Framework

Figure 2.1.1: New disaster risk management framework by Dr. Chakrabarti (2015)

The new disaster risk reduction management frameworks aims to influence national

frameworks, legislations, policies, actions plans, and guidelines. The old, conventional

disaster management framework viewed “disaster” as an one-time event rather than

including the factors that lead to the event and the factors that can prevent or reduce the

impact of the event. This gave way to focusing on mitigation and prevention, and post

response relief and rehabilitation. New terminology was also adopted into the new
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framework for countries to have a common approach and a common understanding on

various issues on disaster management.

The framework clearly defines the factors concerning disaster management and divides

it among the capacities of a country. Action plans are also assigned to the different

disciplines contribute to disaster risk reduction.

Figure 2.1.2: A framework for disaster management by Habitat for Humanity (2012)

Disaster management does not only apply on the event of the disaster itself but it spans

to the events leading to the disaster and going beyond the completion of relief. It is a

continuous process of analyzing and understanding prior disasters and coming up with

preparations and actions that reduce risk and appropriate responses and relief to be

administered.

The framework shows the different phases in disaster risk reduction with the

appropriate response to be taken. It is important to understand the predisaster risk

reduction pahse first to be able to go over the different interventions that can be done
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to reduce vulnerability to impact. This way, communities can develop program and

initiatives that help them become more resilient to hazards.

2.2 Conceptual Framework

Figure 2.2.1: Author’s Conceptual Framework

Disaster risk reduction heavily relies on disaster mitigation and preparedness. By

concentrating on the post-disaster assessments, logistics, coordiantion of agencies, and

delineation of duties, the impact of natural hazards can be significantly decreased.

Moreover, these internal efforts can educate the public on the state of the disaster risk

reduction mangement in the country. This way, communities can develop their own

disaster risk reduction programs and initiatives.

The first 24 hours are crucial in the event of a disaster as natural hazards can weaken

and destroy the resources of an area. With the disaster risk reduction frameworks,
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disaster response can have a clear step-by-step procedure for the efficient deployment

of relief.

2.3 Multi-Purpose Buildings

2.4 Community Centers

2.5 Evacuation Centers

Evacuation centers are vital in disaster risk reduction management. They provide safe

and secure shelter as early as the first warning of an imminent disaster (typhoon, flash

flood, fire, earthquake, etc.). They also provide emergency shelter at the on-set of a

disaster to vulnerable communities and data to the emergancy planners on the afftected

or displaced persons.

It is important to to create an understanding between the stakeholders and the

communities concerned that evacuation centers are temporary and for emergencies

only. A comprehensive emergency plan written by an evacuation committee must

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delineate the characteristics and stages of a disaster and the action that must be taken

with it.

2.5.1 Possible Types of Evacuation Centers

An evacuation center may be residential (e.g. dormitories or campsites) or non-

residential (e.g. sports stadiums and churches) (Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, 2017).

Evacuation centers are typically set up in government buildings with large spaces such

as gymnasiums, schools, town halls, an established community center, or even private

property such as a hotel or a resort. (Republic of Vanuatu, 2016).

2.5.2 Evacuation Committee

2.5.3 Evacuation Plan

According to Nawaz (2015), the tasks to be done by the Evacuation Committee are as

follows:

 Pre-evacuation:

o Briefing of the community regarding disaster risk reduction

management and the evacuation plan

o Coordination and reource generation for evacuation

o Establish an early warning system

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o Identify the safest and fastest routes with clear road signs to the direction

of evacuation

o Identify pick-up or assembly points for the people

o Prepare a masterlist of evacuees with special note for consideration for

those who may have difficulty in evacuating

o Prepare evacuation schedules and groupings for transportation

o Set provisions for the evacuation of animals and other types of evacuees

o Identify and prepare requirements for evacuation (communication,

transportation, emergency kits, etc.)

 During evacuation:

o Give orders for mobilization and act as marshalls

o Manage logisticals needs for orderly evacuation

o Identify safe places for evacuation

o Search and rescue

 In the evacuation center:

o Coordinate with people in charge of health, food, sanitation, security,

and information

o Manage order during relief operations

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2.6 Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster risk reduction is concerned with reducing the damage and destruction caused

by natural hazards such as earthquakes, typhoons, and floods, through prevention and

preparedness. A natural hazard only becomes a disaster when we let them. A disaster’s

gravity depends on the impact taken by the society and the environment and the size of

the impact depends on the decisions we make for ourselves, the community, and the

environment. Each decision and action we take can bring us closer to either

vulnerability or resiliency to disasters. Disaster risk reduction is also done through a

system that analyze and understand the factors that bring about disasters and come up

with ways to reduce the damages. It consists of disciplines such as disaster mitigation,

disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster recovery.

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2008),

strengthened preparedness for response in disasters is concerned mainly with two

objectives: 1) increasing the capacity to predict, monitor and reduce or avoid possible

damage or addressing potential threats and 2) strengthening preparedness for response

to a disaster or assist those who have been adversely affected. Effective emergency

stand-by capacity is a vital part of a preparedness and response system. Monitoring

systems include human, physical, and logistics resources that enable efficient action

during emergencies at any possible moment. Providing a facility such as an Emergency

Operations Center (EOC) where multi-agency coordination, decision making,

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management of information, and allocation of resources can be done on a single focal

location.

Accoridng to the National Risk Reduction and Management Framework (2011), the

areas of concern for consequence management are:

 Limited capacity of various government Search and Rescue (SAR) teams

nationwide of respond to emergency situations like Water SAR, Aerial SAR,

Collapsed Structure SAR, Urban SAR, Fire SAR, etc.

 Lack of absence of a permanent Emergency Medical Service (EMS) practitioner

in the provincial, city and municipal levels.

 Inadequate equipment of EMS teams nationwide like properly-equipped

ambulances with life-saving devices

2.6.1

2.6.1.1 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

2.6.1.2 Disaster Preparedness

2.6.1.3 Disaster Response

2.6.1.4 Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery

2.7 Community-Driven Development

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Chapter III: Research Methodology

3.1. Research Methods

The Research Methodology for this thesis will be Mixed or a combination of

Quantitative and Qualitative methods, which include data collection, case studies, open-

ended survey, unstructured interview, and, if possible, observation or first-hand

experience.

This research will be conducted in order to understand the profile, functions, and

operations of the LGU concerned and its programs and services. Also, this research will

be done to understand the requirements of a community center and an evacuation center.

3.2. Research Design

To define the space requirements for the site, the researcher will visit the LGU to collect

data about the types, gravity, and frequency of disasters in the community. The

researcher will then proceed to interview employees about the day-to-day operations
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and the protocol when a disaster is expected or has already hit. To at least have a gist

of volunteering in relief operations, volunteers will be interviewed for the researcher to

know the works on the field. If given the chance, the researcher will partake in volunteer

operations in different facilities. The researcher will also look up case studies to identify

the needs of communities in disaster-striken areas.

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Chapter IV: Site Profile and Analysis

4.1 Site Selection

The site is a vital part of the project as it can dictate its feasibility. It would be one of the major factors

affecting the purpose and nature of the facilities of the project. Included in this chapter

is the criterion of site selection, descriptions of proposed sites, justification of selected

site, and the macro and micro analysis of selected site.

4.1.1 Site Selection Criteria

The criteria have been carefully selected and formulated to determine the most feasible,

the best suited, and the most efficient site to satisfy the goals and objectives of the

project.

4.1.1.1 General Criteria

The items listed below must be included in the site for it to be considered but are not

limited to only include said items.

1. Accessibility

2. Economic Feasibility

3. Desirability

4. Safety and Security

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4.1.1.2 Specific Criteria

5. Zoning

6. Building Regulations

7. Proximity to all Members of the Community

8. Proximity to Major Roads and Paths

9. Proximity to the Main Government Building

10. Non-intimidating Factor

 The EOC can be particularly helpful in coordinating the activities of different

actors, especially those with particularly high-cost and time-sensitive technical

roles, such as Search and Rescue teams, specialised medical services and air

support (United Nations Office for Disaster Reduction, 2008)

 The project must accommodate at least 100,000 at any given time. At the same

time, the project must also accommodate the rise in demand for relief goods

during the typhoon season. Furthermore, the site must also be able to

accommodate volunteers for the repacking of relief goods, which may

drastically increase depending on the demand for relief goods to be distributed

(Administrative Order No. 03 Series of 2015).

 The site must be out of 100 year Flood Hazards and others (Roop, 2015)

 EOC facilities can be designed for multiple uses or dedicated and therefore

reserved solely for use as an EOC. Consider that the EOC design plan has the
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option of converting normal use of space into another type of use during an

incident, or as the incident requires more personnel at the facility and more

space is needed (Roop, 2015).

 Consideration should be given to circulation (people movements) and

construction layout requirements, expansion requirements, flexible use of space

and space needs for ongoing operations during renovation or expansion of

existing facilities. The actual space needed may vary between incidents (Roop,

2015).

4.2. Site Descriptions

The researcher has narrowed down the selection to these sites:ss

4.3. Site Evaluation and Justification

The current site of the DSWD NROC will be used for the project. The location is

relatively good because of the short distance to NAIA Termials 1 and 2 which are vital

in the deployment of the relief in the least amount of time possible. It is also near the

major thoroguhfares that lead to both the north and the south.

Figure 4.3.1: 100-year flood hazard

The current structures of site also has ample space to house the minimum required

amount of relief goods and more but the state of the storage areas can still be improved.

Also, DSWD usually calls for 500 volunteers in repacking operations though it is
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unclear if that is the limit. With proper planning, this number can be increased to

quicken repacking operations and to produce more relief goods.

The current site has a wide open space that is surrounded by the existing structures that

can be converted to other spaces when needed.

Table 1. Site Evaluation

Source: Author’s Construct

Site Criteria Site 1

Distance from  Less than a kilometer away from NAIA

transport Terminals 1 and 2

services

Distance from  Several accesses to expressways leading

major roads outside Metro Manila

and

expressways

Ample space  Current structures are able to house the

for storage minimum required amount; can still be

improved to house more

Ample space  DSWD typically calls for 500-1000

for volunteers volunteers, unclear if there is a limit

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Flood and  Some areas have low flood hazard, surround

other hazards area has low-medium flood hazard; no other

hazards detected

Multi-purpose  Current has a wide, open space at the center

areas
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