The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) quick response teams are closely monitoring Typhoon Butchoy’s progress and possible effects in affected areas.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said, “We assure the public that the Department is continuously strengthening its disaster response preparations to ensure that the needs of those who might be affected by ‘Butchoy’ can be immediately provided.”

To date, DSWD has a total of 404,417 family food packs available at the different regional warehouses and at the National Resource Operations Center ready for release to affected families through the local government units (LGUs). Other food and non-food items are also available such as blankets, bottled water, and tents.

The Department also has a total amount of P464,559,914 standby funds at the Regional Offices and at the Central Office which can be used to purchase emergency related items.

As a lesson learned after ‘Yolanda,’ the DSWD regional offices also prepositioned family food packs at the local level to ensure that there are ample resources even at the provincial and municipal levels.

Presently, DSWD is closely monitoring the progress of ‘Butchoy’ and is in close coordination with LGU and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) for the possible effects of the typhoon.

Sec. Taguiwalo added, “In times of disasters, every Filipino is at risk of becoming a victim, but the effects on the poor are doubly harder. This is why DSWD is doing its best to strengthen disaster mitigation initiatives and ensure that disaster response of the Department is prompt and adequate.”

The Secretary also said that all regional offices continue to repack relief supplies. ###