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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DSWD raises disaster response operations to Red Alert amid 'habagat'

DSWD raises disaster response operations to Red Alert amid 'habagat'

Published Aug 29, 2026 12:22 pm

At A Glance

  • The DSWD raised its disaster response operations to Red Alert amid the prolonged effects of the southwest monsoon in parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
  • More than 3.4 million family food packs have been prepositioned nationwide, while ₱558.77 million is available under the agency's Quick Response Fund.
  • DSWD field offices are coordinating with local governments to monitor affected communities and provide relief and technical assistance when needed.
(DSWD PHOTO)
(DSWD PHOTO)
Amid the prolonged effects of the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed its disaster response operations on “Red Alert” in parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
The agency said it heightened its alert status in compliance with National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum No. 237, Series of 2026, which raised the national alert level from Blue to Red effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, due to weather systems affecting the country.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the agency continues to gear up for the potential effects of prolonged rainfall and flooding.
“Patuloy po tayong nakahanda dahil alam natin na patuloy pa rin ang epekto ng habagat sa ilang bahagi ng Luzon at Visayas (We remain prepared because we know that the southwest monsoon continues to affect parts of Luzon and the Visayas),” the DSWD spokesperson said in a statement.
“Naka-heightened alert po ang ating mga Field Offices at nakahanda ang ating mga relief resources upang mabilis nating matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan kung kinakailangan (Our field offices are on heightened alert, and our relief resources are ready so we can quickly respond to the needs of our fellow Filipinos, if necessary),” she added.
As of 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, the DSWD had prepositioned over 3.4 million family food packs (FFPs) in warehouses and other strategic locations nationwide, based on its latest Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) report.
Likewise, DSWD said its Central Office (CO) has P558.77 million in Quick Response Fund (QRF) available to support immediate disaster response operations.
(DSWD PHOTO)
(DSWD PHOTO)
Dumlao said DSWD field offices are closely coordinating with local government units (LGUs), particularly in areas at risk of flooding, displacement, and other disaster-related incidents, to prepare for possible relief augmentation and technical assistance.
“Patuloy din po ang ating koordinasyon sa mga LGUs at iba pa nating katuwang na ahensya at LGUs upang ma-monitor natin ang sitwasyon sa mga komunidad at matiyak na mabilis ang pagresponde kung may mga pamilyang kailangan lumikas at nangangailangan ng assistance mula sa DSWD (We also continue to coordinate with local government units and our partner agencies to monitor the situation in communities and ensure a swift response should families need to evacuate and require assistance from the DSWD),” she said.
As such, DSWD spokesperson reminded the public to remain vigilant and regularly monitor official weather and disaster advisories, particularly as the “habagat” continues to bring rains to affected areas.
“Pinapaalalahanan po natin ang ating mga kababayan na manatiling updated sa mga opisyal na abiso ng PAGASA at ng kanilang mga lokal na pamahalaan (We remind the public to stay updated on official advisories from PAGASA and their local governments),” said Dumlao.
“Hinihikayat din po natin ang lahat na agad na makipag-ugnayan sa kanilang mga LGU kung kinakailangang lumikas o kung mangangailangan ng anumang emergency assistance (We also encourage everyone to immediately coordinate with their local government units if they need to evacuate or require any emergency assistance).”

Related Tags

DSWD Red Alert southwest monsoon habagat family food packs disaster response relief operations
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