The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) started its response operations to aid local government units (LGUs) affected by Tropical Storm Agaton, the first cyclone to hit the country this year.

Based on the April 12, 6PM report, the Department already provided more than P16.9 million worth of humanitarian assistance to affected localities in Region XI. Likewise, LGUs in Regions VI and Caraga have distributed aid worth more than P4.2 million to their affected constituents.

The Department also assured the public that it has sufficient resources for its disaster response operations. The DSWD maintains stockpiles and standby funds amounting to more than ₱1.22 billion. Of the amount, around P146 million is the available standby funds of the Central Office and the Field Offices. 

Meanwhile, the current stockpiles being maintained by the Department amount to more than P1.078 billion composed of more than 500,000 family food packs, non-food items and other food items.

The breakdown of the abovementioned P1.22 billion in funds and stockpiles is as follows: DSWD Field Office (FO) V has more than P60 million available standby and stockpile funds; FO VI has more than P29 million; FO VII has more than P44 million; FO VIII has more than P36 million; FO X has more than P78 million; FO XI has more than P39 million; FO CARAGA has more than P133 million; and DSWD Central Office and other DSWD FOs with more than P800 million ready to be tapped for disaster response.

The Department, through its concerned FOs, is closely coordinating with concerned LGUs to monitor the situation of affected families.

Alert and prepared for the Lenten Season

Meanwhile, the DSWD also assured the public that it will continue to be on standby during the country’s observance of the Holy Week or ‘Semana Santa” and that Quick Response Teams (QRTs) of its Field Offices nationwide are activated to render service.

As part of DSWD’s preparedness measures, the Department’s Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) will continue to monitor weather conditions and maintain its coordination with regional counterparts.  In addition, the DSWD-National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) and other regional warehouses are ready with FFPs for augmentation support.

The Department also reminded the public to continue to adhere to the minimum health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the Lenten Season. ###