DSWD ready to provide aid if tropical cyclone Mawar enters PAR

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday said the agency is ready to provide assistance once tropical cyclone Mawar enters the country's area of responsibility.

"We have prepositioned goods naman everywhere in the country. We have worked with PAGASA on the modeling that it seems going to, it seems at this point, kasi it’s very early. It’s going to affect Regions II, Regions I, all the way to Batanes," Gatchalian said at a Palace press briefing.

Gatchalian said the DSWD has started to mobilize food in the areas as early as this weekend.

"Our field offices are now tasked to work with the Local Government Units to see to it that the Local Government Unit in those areas that may be affected, know the logistical support of the DSWD is around. Kasi alam naman natin na the first line of defense will be the LGUs. But DSWD has the mandate for the response," he said.

Gatchalian said there is enough budget to prepare and provide assistance to those who will be affected, if any.

"Remember in the quick response fund natin, part niya is preparedness, making sure that handa tayo even before the storms come in," Gatchalian said.

Meanwhile, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. urged the Department of Public Works and Highways to ensure the integrity of public infrastructures as the country prepares for the possible onslaught of Mawar.

“We should be proactive and cannot just be responsive because we cannot afford to lose even a single life. Tiyakin ninyo ang integridad ng mga pampublikong imprastraktura. Siguruhin ninyo na bawat tulay, daan, gusali, at iba pa ay nasa maayos na lagay at hindi magiging dahilan ng pagkawala ng buhay ninuman sa gitna ng bagyong ito,” Revilla, chairperson of the Senate committee on public works, said.

(The DPWH must ensure the integrity of the public infrastructures and will not cause the lost of life of anyone.)

The senator likewise told the DPWH to be prepared for emergency repairs after the typhoon to mitigate its effects.

PAGASA said as of 3 a.m. Tuesday, Mawar was outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) located at 2,300 kilometers east of the Visayas, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour near the center with gustiness of up to 180 kph and moving northward at a speed of 10 kph.

The tropical cyclone is expected to enter PAR by Friday or Saturday. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ/AOL, GMA Integrated News