The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with disaster response agencies, is now preparing for the possible onslaught of Tropical Depression (TD) “Carina”.

As of 10:00AM on July 29, the low pressure area (LPA) being monitored by DOST-PAGASA has developed into a tropical depression and was located 195 km East of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

Carina is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, and CARAGA.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo has already directed the field offices in the affected regions to continue monitoring the situation on the grounds and intensify their coordination with the local government units (LGUs).

DSWD-Field Office V has a stockpile of 14,300 family food packs (FFPs) ready to be distributed in order to augment the resources of LGUs.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,900 FFPs is now on standby in Region VIII. Also, the field office is currently assessing LGU warehouses for the prepositioning of food and non-food items, including malong and hygiene kits.

In CARAGA, the field office has already prepositioned 11,000 FFPs to geographically identified disadvantaged areas. Personnel at the regional warehouse are also continuously repacking for additional stockpiling of food packs.

DSWD Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in all affected regions are now on alert status for easy mobilization and augmentation support.

Sec. Taguiwalo also reminded affected citizens to be vigilant in times of disaster.

Bulusan and Kanlaon volcanic activities

In a related development, DSWD warns citizens living near Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon and Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental to be alert because of the recent volcanic activities in their area.

Three volcanic earthquakes were recorded in the past 24 hours in Mt. Bulusan, while wispy emissions of white steams plumes were observed in Mt. Kanlaon. Both volcanoes are on Alert Level 1 status.

DSWD field offices in the affected regions are now closely monitoring the volcanic activities and are coordinating with LGUs for needed preparations.

To date, the DSWD-Field Office V has a total of P3,000,000.00 standby funds and 14,300 FFPs ready to be distributed to families living near Mt. Bulusan.

Meanwhile, the DSWD-Field Office Negros Island Region (NIR) has 1,803 FFPs on standby at the Dumaguete City warehouse. They are expecting 7,000 FFPs for delivery to Bacolod City from Region VI.

Both FOs are currently coordinating with LGUs for the strategic location of prepositioning the goods and augmentation support. ###