The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Offices have remained proactive in their disaster response operations for families and individuals who were affected by Tropical Storm Ada.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the Department has been proactive in ensuring that assistance reaches affected communities as quickly as possible.
“Patuloy po ang 24/7 monitoring ng DSWD kasabay ng agarang pag-deploy ng ating Quick Response Teams at relief resources. Nakahanda po tayong tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga apektado ng Tropical Storm Ada,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who also serves as DSWD spokesperson, said on Monday (January 19).
The DSWD’s Field Offices (FO) 5 (Bicol Region), 8 (Eastern Visayas), and Caraga, in close coordination with concerned local government units (LGUs), have distributed family food packs (FFPs) and Ready-to-Eat Food (RTEF) boxes to address immediate needs on the ground.
The Department also has its Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and specialized disaster response vehicles on standby for the immediate provision of food and non-food items (FNIs) to address the urgent needs of affected families and individuals.
Based on the DSWD Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Communication (DROMIC) report as of January 19 (Monday), 6:00 AM, affected FOs have continued conducting round-the-clock monitoring of weather advisories, hazard alerts, and field updates.
A total of 165,702 families or 553,703 individuals have been affected by Tropical Storm Ada in 855 barangays across the three affected regions. Of this number, 5,084 families or 18,615 individuals remain displaced and are currently staying either inside evacuation centers or with relatives and friends.
To address the needs of the affected population, the DSWD, in partnership with concerned LGUs and other partner organizations, have provided humanitarian assistance amounting to Php11,473,663.65.
Of this, Php11,179,518.65 was sourced from the Department, while Php230,145 came from the LGUs and Php64,000 were from other partners.
To further sustain relief efforts, the Department has substantial standby resources available, including Php32.15 million in Quick Response Fund (QRF) at the DSWD Central Office, Php9.89 million available at FOs 5, 8, and Caraga, and an additional Php32.96 million from other FOs that may be mobilized through inter-field office augmentation.
In terms of relief goods, the DSWD has a stockpile of FFPs prepositioned in disaster response centers and FOs nationwide, along with Php1.33 billion worth of FNIs ready for distribution.
As relief and monitoring operations continue, Asst. Secretary Dumlao reiterated the Department’s commitment to remain on alert amid Tropical Storm Ada’s onslaught.
“Alinsunod sa utos ng ating Pangulo na palakasin ang pagtugon sa nasalanta ng mga sakuna, mananatili pong nakaantabay ang DSWD sa pangunguna ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian. Patuloy po ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga LGUs at partner agencies upang masigurong mabilis at maayos ang paghahatid ng tulong sa ating mga kababayang naapektuhan ng Bagyong Ada,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The Department spokesperson also urged the public to remain vigilant and to rely only on official advisories regarding disaster updates.
“Hinihikayat po natin ang publiko na maging mapagmatyag at manatiling nakatutok sa ating mga official social media pages para sa tamang impormasyon at updates. Patuloy pong kumikilos ang DSWD upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Ada has weakened into a Tropical Depression, as it continues to move away from the country based on the January 19, 10:00 AM report of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). (CC)
