By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With Severe Tropical Storm Tino inching closer to the Philippine landmass, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed all its field offices on heightened alert.
In a media release on Sunday, DSWD Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao underscored this move as part of the agency’s precautionary measures to aid in prompt disaster response and relief efforts.
Asec. Dumlao said in a statement, “Sa utos ni Pangulong Marcos at ni Secretary Gatchalian, nakahanda ang DSWD na tumugon sa anumang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan na maaapektuhan ni Bagyong Tino. Mahigpit ang koordinasyon natin sa mga LGU upang matiyak na maagap at mapagkalinga ang ating pagtugon.”
She added further, “Ang ating mga field offices ay patuloy na nagmo-monitor ng sitwasyon sa kanilang mga nasasakupan. Kapag may request mula sa LGU, agad tayong tutugon para hindi na kailangang maghintay pa nang matagal.”
The DSWD spokesperson pointed out that 121,331 family food packs (FFPs); 20,664 non-food relief items; 18,473 ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes, and 4,950 water bottles have been prepositioned by DSWD-Eastern Visayas in strategic locations that are within the storm’s projected track.
She likewise noted the utilization of the agency’s Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) and Mobile Command Centers (MCCs) for real-time monitoring of affected communities.
Asec. Dumlao concluded her remarks by reminding residents living in areas within the path of Severe Tropical Storm Tino to monitor the latest weather updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), remain vigilant of the situation in their respective locales, and heed evacuation orders from local authorities.
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