The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the public of its readiness to respond to Typhoon ‘Paolo,’ which has prompted Signal No. 4 warnings over parts of Northern Luzon.
While still extending assistance to communities battered by the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu and the onslaught of typhoons in Masbate and Northern Mindanao, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency’s quick response teams are on alert and stockpiles are ready for dispatch.
“While assisting Masbate, Cebu and Nando-hit areas, DSWD is also keeping an eye out on this new storm. We are ready,” Gatchalian posted on his social media account on Friday.
Assistant Secretary Leo Quintilla, concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the DSWD’s National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), emphasized during the Thursday Media Forum on October 2 that the agency has mobilized its “full arsenal” for disaster response.
Based on the October 3 report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC), the DSWD has more than 2.3 million boxes of family food packs prepositioned nationwide.
In Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), the DSWD has 137,661 boxes of family food packs and a total of 249,533 in Region 3 (Central Luzon) which are available for augmentation for local government units (LGUs).
According to the NRLMB OIC, the DSWD has 52,000 food boxes prepositioned in the Ilocos Region and more than 65,000 relief goods are also available across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Quintilla noted that the island province of Batanes remains a logistical challenge due to limited transport, prompting the DSWD to closely coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force for the continuous delivery of supplies.
“Every time there is a chance that there are trips there, we send food boxes and other needs. So, we are confident that we have restocked there and we are ready to respond if there is an impact from Typhoon Paolo,” he said.
Quintilla also highlighted the tireless efforts of the “Angels in Red Vests,” the DSWD staff, and volunteers who work extended hours to repack and replenish food supplies, especially now that the country faces simultaneous calamities.
On the average, the DSWD produces 18,000 to 25,000 food boxes daily in its major hubs, a volume expected to increase in the coming days.
As the lead agency in camp coordination and camp management of internally displaced persons, the DSWD reiterated its assurance of readiness for Typhoon Paolo.
