As Typhoon “Bising” continued to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Albay, Catanduanes and other areas in Luzon and Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public Monday, April 19, that its Field Offices have readied their quick response teams (QRTs) to assist the local government units (LGUs) in the affected areas.
(Photo by Alren BERONIO / various sources / AFP / FILE PHOTO)
"The Quick Response Teams (QRTs) of DSWD FOs along the typhoon’s track are now on standby and ready to provide technical assistance, if needed, following the new normal protocols of the agency amid the pandemic,” it said in a statement.
The DSWD cited that its emergency relief supplies were ready to augment the resources of the LGUs that will be affected by BIsing.
The agency reported over the weekend that it has standby funds and available stockpiles amounting to more than P1.59 billion.
As of 6 p.m., April 17, the agency has more than P556.43 in total standby funds. Of this, P517.99 million has been earmarked as available standby funds at the DSWD Central Office and P38.45 million at the Field Offices.
"The Department, as lead agency in the Food and Non-Food Item Cluster, Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster, and the Internally Displaced Persons Protection Cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will continue to ensure the efficient and well-coordinated delivery of social protection services to the population that will be affected by the typhoon,” the DSWD said.
The DSWD urged the public to remain vigilant and to heed the warnings of their local leaders to prevent any untoward incidents that will be brought by Bising.