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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DSWD prepares for 'worst' at Kanlaon Volcano, positions food packs

DSWD prepares for 'worst' at Kanlaon Volcano, positions food packs

Published Jun 4, 2024 03:20 am

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian flew to Negros Oriental on Tuesday morning, June 4, to oversee disaster response operations for families affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption on Monday evening, June 3.

He met with officials from the DSWD's field offices in Western and Central Visayas, led by DSWD-Field Office 6 Regional Director Carmelo N. Nochete and DSWD-Field Office 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero, to discuss disaster response plans and ensure the safety and well-being of affected families in their respective regions.

During the meeting, Gatchalian directed the distribution of 40,000 family food packs to Negros Island and Bacolod City by Thursday, June 6.

The additional food packs are on top of the already available boxes of relief goods from the DSWD field office.

Currently, 72,235 food packs are available for distribution at the DSWD Western Visayas and Central Visayas field offices.

Gatchalian, along with DSWD Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Diana Rose Cajipe, is also scheduled to attend a coordination meeting with the concerned local government units.

“We have to show people we are on top of the situation, even before it turns for the worst. Let's pray for the least damage, but let's prepare for the worst," Gatchalian said.

“We have to prepare for the worst. So we have to make sure that you (the concerned regional directors) are all connected with us (the central office). Just keep monitoring. And I want you to be proactive. Talk to your governors regularly, talk to your mayors, talk to your congressmen,” he added.

The DSWD chief also directed the field offices to set up their mobile command centers (MCCs) to allow for real-time coordination and communication between national and local government agencies.

MCC is the DSWD’s newly-acquired facility that features state-of-the-art information and communications technology equipment, including surveillance and communication devices, power supplies, and other electronic equipment that is vital during disasters and emergencies. 

As of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the DSWD-Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DRMB) reported that the volcanic eruption had affected 170 families, or 796 individuals, from eight barangays across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

There are currently 69 families, or 303 individuals, taking temporary shelter in five evacuation centers across Negros Oriental (Kanlaon City) and Negros Occidental (Bago City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Pontevedra).

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Kanlaon Volcano Eruption DSWD
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