DSWD: 3M boxes of family food packs prepositioned for possible storm

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday said its Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) is now on blue alert status as it monitors the development of the low pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Guiuan, Eastern Visayas.

In line with this, the DSWD said it has prepositioned three million boxes of family food packs (FFPs), with over 360,000 non-food items, in the different hubs, spokes, and last miles across the country, in line with the directive of Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

“Following the order from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), DSWD’s DRCC is now fully activated to monitor and prepare for any possible effects of the weather disturbance,” said Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG).

Apart from the prepositioned relief items, response teams in the different DSWD Field Offices are on standby and in close coordination with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), NDRRMC, and local government units (LGUs), according to the agency.

Even during the celebration of Eid’l Adha, the DSWD said its Quick Response Team (QRT) held a duty briefing and agency personnel continue their work to ensure that timely help will reach communities when needed. 

“Our duty to serve does not pause for holidays. Gaya nga ng laging sinasabi ni Secretary Gatchalian, 365 days, hindi tumitigil ang disaster preparation ng DSWD. We remain on alert to make sure that our fellow Filipinos, especially the vulnerable, are safe and supported during times of uncertainty,” DSWD spokesperson Dumlao said.

The DSWD reminded the public to stay alert and monitor periodic announcements from local authorities.

PAGASA said early Saturday morning that there was still a "medium" chance for the LPA off the Catanduanes coast to develop into a tropical depression.

At 3 a.m., the LPA was located 240 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, bringing cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, Aurora, and Quezon.

The NDRRMC raised the Operations Center alert status to blue at 3 p.m. Friday in response to the said LPA.

According to a statement on Friday, NDRRMC is aiming to mitigate the impact of widespread rains, flooding, and rain-induced landslides caused by the LPA and the Southwest Monsoon.

All Regional and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (R/LDRRMCs), as well as OCD Regional Offices, have been instructed to implement their minimum preparedness checklists, which include the activation of several response teams, the preparation of emergency resources, and the establishment of communication systems.

Officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) will also be mandated to render duty for immediate response. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA Integrated News