DSWD readies assistance for possible effects of 'amihan' in Cagayan Valley, Tacloban
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured that it is ready and has sufficient assets to assist Cagayan Valley and Tacloban which are seen to be heavily affected by the northeast monsoon or amihan.

"As part of its mandate, the DSWD is prepared to provide technical assistance and resource augmentation (TARA) to LGUs to ensure that the immediate needs of those who will be affected by the weather disturbance are met," DSWD said on Wednesday, Jan. 4.
Its Field Office (FO) Region II already prepositioned 24,400 family food packs and 5,400 non-food items in 83 local government units (LGUs) and two provincial LGUs.
It is also continuously coordinating with the Municipal Action Teams and its disaster response personnel are now on standby.
"Meanwhile, in Eastern Visayas, DSWD-Field Office VIII has issued an order to allow a skeletal workforce among its employees following the declaration of work suspension of the concerned LGU due to the rainfall being experienced in Tacloban," DSWD added.
Its Social Welfare and Development Teams in FO Region VIII are also monitoring the situation on the ground.
As of Jan. 2, DSWD has more than P100 million worth of standby funds and 576,455 available family food packs ready to be distributed to the LGUs.
As per the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's 4 a.m. report, amihan may still bring cloudy skies with rains in Cagayan Valley for the rest of the day.
It also warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains in this area.
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