CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao has activated Thursday its Quick Response Team (QRT) in anticipation and preparation for the possible effects of the current weather disturbance brought by Tropical Storm Vinta.
DSWD-10 Director Nestor Briones Ramos said the agecy has already prepositioned supplies of food and non-food items in all provinces in the region that are likely to be affected if Vinta hits Friday.
As of Thursday, Ramos said some 30,000 family food packs are ready for distribution. DSWD has also set aside a contingecy fund of PhP3 million as support for local government units for their disaster operations.
Ramos said his agency would also closely monitor and coordinate with local disaster risk reduction management offices as they are the first to respond during emergencies.
He said DSWD’s local Action Team Leaders in all 93 localities in Northern Mindanao had been ordered to coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction managers to assist local leaders in disaster response.
According to state weather bureau PAGASA, Vinta continued heading for Eastern Mindanao as of Thursday morning.
PAGASA has raised signal number 2 in the provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and the northern portion of Davao Oriental. (Ercel Maandig/PNA)
