By Brian Campued
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC), has raised its alert status from blue to red as Typhoon Nando continues to intensify over the Philippine Sea.
The raising of the highest alert status came after the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued Memorandum No. 245, s. 2025, which placed its Operations Center on red alert on Friday, ensuring immediate emergency response to the imminent calamity.
According to PAGASA’s 11:00 a.m. update this Saturday, Nando is expected to further intensify and may reach super typhoon category by Monday, Sept. 22, as it approaches extreme northern Luzon.
“The DSWD, through the DRCC, continues to monitor developments and coordinate closely with concerned national agencies, local government units, and Field Offices to ensure a timely and well-coordinated response in potentially affected areas,” the agency stated.
All of DSWD’s Field Offices have also been placed on alert for the immediate mobilization of Quick Response Teams; activation of Camp Coordination and Camp Management operations; prepositioning of food and non-food Items; implementation of protection measures for internally displaced persons; and deployment of disaster response vehicles and equipment to facilitate the rapid delivery of assistance.
Meanwhile, the DSWD assured the public that it maintains over 2.6 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) strategically prepositioned in different warehouses across the country and ready to be deployed to affected communities.
“Our goal is to make sure that assistance reaches the people at the soonest possible time. Prepositioning these resources allows us to respond without delay,” DSWD spokesperson, Asec. Irene Dumlao said.
“Maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo ang kailangan sa ganitong panahon dahil gusto po ng ating pangulo na walang magugutom tuwing may kalamidad,” she added.
-jpv
