By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that it remains on high alert to ensure prompt and adequate response for families affected by torrential downpour brought by the southwest monsoon and the low pressure area (LPA) in various parts of the country since Aug. 22.
In a media statement on Wednesday, DSWD Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said that the agency is constantly monitoring weather conditions vis-à-vis preparing contingency plans to provide aid and assistance in case the bad weather worsens.
Asec. Dumlao declared, “Ang DSWD ay naka-high alert upang matiyak na lahat ng nangangailangan ay agad na matutulungan. We have prepositioned relief goods in our warehouses and are working hand in hand with local government units (LGUs) for faster distribution.”
Based on the latest report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC), a total of 9,445 families or 42,858 persons in 72 barangays in Regions IV-A (CALABARZON), 5 (Bicol), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), and 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) have been affected.
Dumlao, meanwhile, assured the public of uninterrupted support for those affected by severe weather disturbances, with P2.8 million worth of assistance, including family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items already distributed to their intended beneficiaries.
While the LPA off the waters of Quezon province has dissipated, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) 10:00 a.m. weather bulletin, the state weather bureau is still monitoring the other LPA, which was last located 250 km west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
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