PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos signed two key laws on Friday, the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act and the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters Emergencies Act, aimed at enhancing disaster response and providing financial relief to students in affected areas.
The Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act establishes permanent evacuation centers that are designed to withstand severe typhoons (up to 300 km/h winds) and earthquakes (up to magnitude 8.0).
In his remarks during the signing ceremony at Malacañang, Marcos emphasized the importance of resilient facilities, saying, “Investing in these climate-resilient facilities must be the norm… we are not only protecting lives but also empowering local governments to manage disaster risks.”
The new law will allow schools, often used as evacuation centers, to focus more on student welfare and development.
Marcos also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure the timely construction of evacuation centers in priority areas.
The Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act provides relief to students in calamity-stricken regions by deferring repayments on higher education and technical-vocational loans during and after disasters.
“This law gives disaster-affected students and their families a breathing space to recover and rebuild,” Marcos said, adding that it aims to ease financial burdens on students as they continue their education.
Marcos also instructed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide necessary support to students impacted by disasters.