The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed all its field offices (FOs) on heightened alert as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) continues to intensify over the Philippine Sea.
In a statement on Sunday, the DSWD said its field offices are working closely with local government units (LGUs) to ensure an immediate and well-coordinated response to communities expected to be affected by the storm.
The directive was made under the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
“On the orders of President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian, the DSWD is ready to respond to the needs of our fellow Filipinos who may be affected by Tino. We are closely coordinating with our LGUs to ensure prompt and compassionate action,” said DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.
Dumlao, from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), said Quick Response Teams have already been activated to assist LGUs in relief operations, while Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) teams are on standby in case of large-scale displacement.
“Our Field Offices are continuously monitoring the situation in their jurisdictions. If an LGU requests assistance, we will respond immediately so that they won’t have to wait long,” Dumlao added.
Relief Goods Pre-positioned Nationwide
The DSWD has pre-positioned food and non-food items (FNFIs) in strategic areas within the storm’s projected path. A total of 558,098 family food packs (FFPs) have been stockpiled across regional warehouses, including:
- 122,884 in MIMAROPA
- 89,566 in Region 6 (Western Visayas)
- 70,799 in the Negros Island Region (NIR)
- 71,539 in Region 7 (Central Visayas)
- 121,331 in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas)
- 81,989 in CARAGA
“Our relief supplies in major hubs and last-mile facilities are sufficient. We have family food packs, ready-to-eat food, and non-food items ready for affected residents and those who may need to stay in evacuation centers,” Dumlao assured.