Manila, June 23 -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Monday announced that 26 nationally-funded evacuation centers are now operational in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

In a statement, the agencies said three more under construction and additional facilities, including in Dapitan and Dipolog, are lined up for 2025.

"These efforts form part of the proposed Ligtas Pinoy Center Act, which aims to institutionalize permanent, hazard-informed evacuation sites in every LGU (local government unit)," it said.

Earlier, the OCD said the Second Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held last June 19 at Dipolog City renewed calls for stronger infrastructure, sustained funding...