The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pre-positioned over five million family food packs (FFPs) nationwide as weather forecasters track a new tropical depression developing outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) assured the public on Saturday, August 8, that relief networks are fully prepared for immediate deployment, even as field offices continue relief efforts for communities hit by earlier storms.
“Ang nais po ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ay isang pamahalaang laging handa at mabilis kumilos bago pa man dumating ang sakuna. Bagamat patuloy ang pamamahagi natin ng tulong sa mga naapektuhan ng mga nagdaang bagyo, nananatiling handa ang DSWD sa anumang maaaring maging epekto ng namataan na tropical depression sa labas ng PAR. Sa katunayan at may higit 5 milyon tayong FFPs na naka-prepositioned sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” Dumlao said.
The strategic relief reserves include over 805,000 food boxes stored at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center (LDRC) in Pasay City, 475,000 units at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City and more than 196,000 boxes at the Mindanao Disaster Resource Center (MDRC) in Butuan City.
“Bukod sa food packs, mayroon ding higit Php1.6 billion standby funds na handang gamitin sa mga disaster response operations,” Dumlao added.
To bolster logistics, the agency has placed its Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and specialized assets on alert, readying mobile command centers, mobile kitchens, water trucks and filtration units for rapid deployment.
Regional field units remain in close contact with local government units (LGUs) across vulnerable areas to ensure seamless coordination.
“Patuloy na naka-monitor ang lahat ng DSWD Field Offices para tumulong sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na kasalukuyang naapektuhan ng masamang panahon. Bukas po ang linya ng DSWD at makakaasa po kayo na agad kaming magpapadala ng tulong,” Dumlao assured.
As weather patterns develop, the DSWD urged the public to stay informed and follow local safety protocols.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, lagi nating unahin ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng ating mga komunidad. Kaya naman, hinihikayat natin ang lahat na maging maingat at laging makinig sa anunsyo ng inyong mga lokal na pamahalaan upang maiwasan natin ang anumang panganib na dulot ng masamang panahon,” Dumlao said.