Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
DSWD prepares additional food packs in areas likely to be hit by approaching cyclone
Philippines
National
DSWD prepares additional food packs in areas likely to be hit by approaching cyclone
DSWD prepares additional food packs in areas likely to be hit by approaching cyclone
Published May 22, 2023 07:36 am
In preparation for the possibility of a super typhoon entering the country’s area of responsibility by weekend, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday, May 22 directed its field offices to prepare additional family food packs and other relief supplies in areas that may be affected by typhoon Mawar.
Based on the latest forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), typhoon Mawar may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Friday, May 22, and will be named “Betty.”
Mawar also has a chance of intensifying into a super typhoon with winds of at least 185 kph while still over the ocean.
The DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region has pre-positioned 16,355 family food packs in the provinces of Abra (4,401 packs), Kalinga (5,300 packs), and Apayao (6,654) in response to the DSWD chief’s directive.
Meanwhile, the DSWD-Ilocos Region inspected its regional and satellite warehouses to ensure a sufficient stockpile of family food packs.
(DSWD File Photo)
Although the typhoon is most likely to hit extreme northern Luzon, based on initial projections, the DSWD-Western Visayas held a pre-disaster risk assessment meeting to prepare for any eventuality. “As part of its regular disaster response efforts, the DSWD has already pre-positioned family food packs in strategic locations in all regions,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Romel Lopez said. There are currently 797,051 family food packs in stock at the various regional offices, totaling P565.78 million. There are also 110,667 FFPs available in disaster response centers—101,525 family food packs at the National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City, and 9,142 food packs at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center. “The family food packs can form part of additional resources to the local government units, which might be affected [by the typhoon],” Lopez said. He also said that the DSWD has a quick response fund of P579.89 million at the Central Office, and P69.77 million at the DSWD field offices.
(DSWD File Photo)
Although the typhoon is most likely to hit extreme northern Luzon, based on initial projections, the DSWD-Western Visayas held a pre-disaster risk assessment meeting to prepare for any eventuality. “As part of its regular disaster response efforts, the DSWD has already pre-positioned family food packs in strategic locations in all regions,” DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Romel Lopez said. There are currently 797,051 family food packs in stock at the various regional offices, totaling P565.78 million. There are also 110,667 FFPs available in disaster response centers—101,525 family food packs at the National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City, and 9,142 food packs at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center. “The family food packs can form part of additional resources to the local government units, which might be affected [by the typhoon],” Lopez said. He also said that the DSWD has a quick response fund of P579.89 million at the Central Office, and P69.77 million at the DSWD field offices.