DSWD Now Braces for ‘Inday’

Following the strengthening of Tropical Depression Inday into a tropical storm last Wednesday night, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to maintain its heightened alert status in preparation for any augmentation support from areas that will be affected by the weather disturbance and the Southwest Monsoon or ‘Habagat’.

Field Offices (FOs) of the Department are continuously monitoring the weather situation on the grounds and are closely coordinating with Local Government Units (LGUs) for possible deployment and other forms of assistance.

Based on today’s 12PM report of the DSWD Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DRMB), the number of affected families by the inclement weather now increased to 40,253 families or 162, 007 individuals in 194 barangays in Regions III, VI, NCR, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.

There are also 858 families or 3,128 persons are staying in 42 evacuation centers in Regions III, NCR, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA while 33,119 families or 142,399 persons are currently staying with their relatives and friends in Regions III and VI.

The DSWD has already provided P4,291,760.00 worth of assistance to affected localities in Regions III and MIMAROPA.

In addition, 500 family food packs will be augmented to the municipality of Bagac, Bataan for distribution to affected fishermen and their families.

Child-friendly spaces were also set up in evacuation centers in Mamburao, Occidental to provide games, informal education and other activities for displaced children.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Virginia “Gee” N. Orogo assured the public that all FOs are in close coordination with Provincial/Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (P/LSWDOs) for possible deployment and psychosocial interventions.

She also said that relief goods, both food and non-food items, may be tapped by affected LGUs any time.

The Secretary also reminded the public, “Ipinapaalala po namin sa lahat na maging maingat at palaging makipag-ugnayan sa kanilang lokal na pamahalaan upang maiwasan natin ang kahit anong disgrasya sa ganitong panahon ng kalamidad (We are reminding the public to be careful and to continue to coordinate with their local governments to prevent any casualty in times like this).” (DWSD)