DSWD sets aside P4-B standby fund, stockpile as TS Mekkhala nears PAR

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced Saturday that a total of P4.416 billion in funds and food and non-food supplies are on standby in preparation for an incoming tropical storm that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend.

According to DSWD, these on-standby resources are in addition to the 4.7 million food packs that were already prepositioned across the country.

"Bukod sa ating 4.7 milyong family food packs na naka-preposition sa iba't ibang bahagi ng bansa, mayroon din pong nakalaang pondo upang makapagbigay ng agarang suporta sa mga pamilyang maaapektuhan ng kalamidad,” DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said.

(Aside from our 4.7 million family food packs prepositioned across different parts of the country, funds have also been set aside to provide immediate support to families who will be affected by the disaster.)

"Nakaantabay po ang DSWD at ang lahat ng ating field offices upang agad na makapagbigay ng kinakailangang tulong sakaling may mga pamilyang maapektuhan ng inaasahang sama ng panahon,” she added.

(The DSWD and all of our field offices are on standby to immediately provide the necessary assistance should any families be affected by the expected inclement weather.)

According to PAGASA, a tropical storm is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Saturday evening (June 20) and Sunday morning (June 21) and will be assigned the local name "Francisco."

PAGASA noted that while a landfall remains highly improbable, the storm may intensify into a typhoon by Sunday, and both the public and disaster response teams are advised to monitor weather updates.

“Patuloy po nating mino-monitor ang sitwasyon at nakikipag-ugnayan tayo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan upang matiyak ang mabilis na paghahatid ng tulong kung kinakailangan,” Dumlao said.

(We continue to monitor the situation and are coordinating with local government units to ensure the swift delivery of aid if needed.) —VAL, GMA News