By Brian Campued
In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a whole-of-government approach to disaster preparedness and response, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday raised their alert status from “blue” to “red” in anticipation of the possible effects of Tropical Depression Crising in the country.
According to the Memorandum No. 170, s. 2025 issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the escalation of the alert status allows for the close monitoring and coordination with concerned agencies and offices regarding the preparations and response to the calamity.
A virtual Emergency Operations Center has also been activated to support real-time response.
The Disaster Response Command Center of the DSWD, in a separate announcement Wednesday, said it is constantly monitoring the situation and maintains close coordination with its field offices to ensure timely delivery of relief assistance, particularly in areas that might be heavily affected by Crising.
DSWD ASec. Irene Dumlao said the agency has over 3 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) already prepositioned in 935 storage facilities nationwide as well as a stockpile of non-food items, such as family, hygiene, kitchen and sleeping kits; water containers; and other shelter materials.
“In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of an omnipresent disaster response, our agency Field Offices are in tight coordination with LGUs dito po sa Palawan, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands na inaasahang makakaranas ng pag-ulan dulot ng Bagyong Crising. Rest assured that the agency’s stockpiles are not only abundant but closest to communities that will need it,” Dumlao said.
“Year-round, we commit to the daily production of new boxes of family food packs para kahit tuloy-tuloy ang distribution, hindi tayo mauubusan. All hands are on deck to make sure that these supplies are spread out and made accessible for immediate distribution to our disaster-hit communities. Araw-araw natin sinisiguro yan, at mas pinapatindi pa natin lalo na ngayong rainy season,” she added.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) likewise urged local government units and communities to remain alert and prepare for the expected heavy rains and other hazards brought by Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat).
“Kami po sa OCD ay patuloy na nagpapaalala sa ating mga kababayan na makinig sa mga weather advisories na inilalabas sa pamamagitan ng LGUs, media, at iba’t ibang platforms… Importante po na tayo ay maging handa, makinig, at sumunod sa mga abiso,” OCD Officer-in-Charge, ASec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said in a statement Wednesday.
-jpv
