MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday was placed on “blue alert” level as it monitors tropical storm “Gorio” which is now dumping moderate to heavy rains in various areas in Visayas Luzon, including the National Capital Region.
Blue level is the second stage of alert for an approaching or ongoing storm during which emergency preparations are carried out according to plan.
DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said that as part of preparations should Gorio gain strength and caused damage or affect the vulnerable, the DSWD Central Office (CO), Field Offices (FOs), and National Resource Operations Center have sufficient stockpiles as augmentation.
“A total of 488,800 Family Food Packs amounting to PHP169,423,635 and Food and Non-food Items amounting to PHP470,726,901 are available anytime,” said Taguiwalo.
Aside from that she assured that the agency maintains standby funds amounting to more than PHP1 billion. Of the said amount, PHP1,036,142,453 is available for the Quick Response Fund in the CO.
Meanwhile, the Welfare chief, once again, appealed to the public to heed announcements of local authorities for their safety.
At the same time, she assured that they have Quick Response Teams and Social Welfare and Development Teams, Provincial and Municipal Action Teams, and Pantawid Pamilya Parent Leaders across the country that can be mobilized anytime. LSJ/PNA-northboundasia.com