The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the public of its readiness to respond to Typhoon Paolo, which has prompted Signal No. 4 warnings over parts of Northern Luzon.
While still extending assistance to communities battered by the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu and the onslaught of typhoons in Masbate and Northern Mindanao, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency’s quick response teams are on alert and stockpiles are ready for dispatch.
“While assisting Masbate, Cebu and Nando-hit areas, DSWD is also keeping an eye out on this new storm. We are ready,” Secretary Gatchalian posted on his X account on Friday (October 3).
Asst. Secretary Leo Quintilla, concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the DSWD’s National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), emphasized during the Thursday Media Forum on October 2 that the agency has mobilized its “full arsenal” for disaster response.
“Yung ating preposition hindi lang food boxes, but sa mga field offices natin meron naman silang mobile kitchen. So, ibig sabihin, 17 regions natin may mobile kitchens na rin. Yung 17 regions natin mayroon din mga command centers. So, ibig sabihin naka-deploy yun,” Asst. Secretary Quintilla explained to reporters.
Based on the October 3 report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC), the DSWD has more than 2.3 million boxes of FFPs prepositioned nationwide.
In Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), the DSWD has 137,661 boxes of FFPs and a total of 249,533 in Region 3 (Central Luzon) which are available for augmentation for local government units (LGUs).
According to the NRLMB OIC, the DSWD has 52,000 food boxes prepositioned in the Ilocos Region and more than 65,000 FFPs are also available across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Asst. Secretary Quintilla noted that the island province of Batanes remains a logistical challenge due to limited transport, prompting the DSWD to closely coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force for the continuous delivery of supplies.
“Every time na may chance na may trips doon ay nagpapadala tayo ng food boxes and other needs. So, we’re confident na naka-restock na tayo doon and we’re ready to respond kung magkaroon ng impact
ang padating na si Typhoon Paolo,” the NRLMB OIC said.
Asst. Secretary Quintilla also highlighted the tireless efforts of the “Angels in Red Vests,” the DSWD staff, and volunteers who work extended hours to repack and replenish food supplies, especially now that the country faces simultaneous calamities.
“More than a month na na wala kaming Sunday (break). Lahat ng mga Angels in Red Vests ay nagre-repack, sometimes extended hours kami up to 8pm to 10 o’clock in the evening. I want to highlight also the support of our volunteers,” Asst. Secretary Quintilla said.
On the average, the DSWD produces 18,000 to 25,000 food boxes daily in its major hubs, a volume expected to increase in the coming days.
“Tinatarget natin ngayon will be around 70,000 to 80,000 yung ating mga box in the next 4 to 5 days na ready na rin to deploy kung may kailangan ng mga regions based on the releases,” Asst. Secretary Quintilla reported.
As the lead agency in camp coordination and camp management of internally displaced persons, the DSWD reiterated its assurance of readiness for STS Paolo.
“The DSWD as the head sa cluster ng camp coordination and camp management, at the same time, the management of internally displaced, and of course food and non-food items, we assure the public that the DSWD is ready to respond to any disaster situation,” Asst. Secretary Quintilla said. (DSWD)
