UNDAS 2025: DSWD, field offices on alert for Undas observance

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its field offices across the country are on alert ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2.

In a statement, DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said this is to ensure that the DSWD can provide immediate relief to families and individuals who may need their assistance as they go home to their provinces to pay their respects to their departed loved ones.

“Nagbaba ng direktiba si Secretary Rex Gatchalian sa lahat ng aming regional directors para matiyak na handa ang aming field offices sa anumang kakailanganing tulong ng mga kababayan natin na uuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsya,” Dumlao said.

(Secretary Rex Gatchalian gave directives to our regional directors to ensure that our field offices are ready for whatever assistance our countrymen may need as they go home to their provinces.)

Dumlao said the DSWD has sufficient relief items such as ready-to-eat food (RTEF), family food packs (FFPs), and other food and non-food items.

This is for individuals who may get stranded as they travel to their provinces to pay their respects to their loved ones’ graves.

“Mayroon kaming nakalagak na FFPs sa aming mga warehouses at naka-preposition na mga RTEF sa iba’t ibang daungan o pantalan. Sapat po ang food at non-food items natin,” she said.

(We have FFPs stocked in our warehouses and RTEFs that are prepositioned in different ports. We have enough food and non-food items.)

The DSWD’s Quick Response Teams (QRTs) around the country are also on standby to respond in the event of untoward incidents. The QRTs are also on full alert to assist local government units (LGUs).

“Sa DSWD, 365 days a year ang aming disaster preparation. Hindi kami tumitigil, kahit ngayong paparating na Undas, para masiguro natin na agaran tayong makapagbibigay ng tulong sa mga kababayan natin na posibleng maapektuhan ng dagsa ng tao sa daan habang pauwi sa kanilang probinsya,” Dumlao added.

(In the DSWD, we do disaster preparation 365 days a year. We don’t stop, even with Undas, to ensure that we can immediately extend help to our countrymen who might be affected by the influx of crowds as they go home to their provinces.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News