DSWD chief assures enough relief goods as ‘Mawar’ nears
DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the public that the agency has enough prepositioned relief goods in regions likely to be hit by the approaching typhoon, with the international name “Mawar.”
At present, the DSWD Central Office has prepositioned 689,885 Family Food Packs (FFPs) nationwide.
The social welfare department has also started the delivery of 98,000 FFPs in Regions I (Ilocos Region), II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon), the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the Visayas Region.
“We have already prepositioned the goods. We augmented it, paying close attention to Region I, Region II, and Region III’s eastern seaboard. Everywhere else, we have prepositioned goods, but we’ve made sure to double up our capacities in those areas,” Gatchalian said during a press conference.
Aside from the prepositioning of goods, Gatchalian said DSWD Field Offices (FOs) are continuously coordinating with Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) for significant disaster response updates and preparations.
“We already started mobilizing as early as last weekend so the food packs will be there, and then our field offices are now tasked to work with the local government units to see to it that the LGUs (local government units) in those areas that will be affected know that the logistical support of the DSWD is around,” the DSWD chief said.
DSWD Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez advised the public to continue coordinating with their respective LGUs to prepare for the possible effects of Typhoon Mawar.
“We urge our fellow citizens in the regions that will possibly be hit by Typhoon Mawar to continue to be on alert and to heed all warnings that will be issued by their barangays and local chief executives to ensure their safety,” the DSWD spokesperson warned.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Typhoon Mawar will likely approach the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday evening or early Saturday morning.
The typhoon will be called “Betty” once it enters the PAR.
