With Tropical Depression ‘Marce’ moving across the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo has directed all disaster monitoring and response units of the DSWD in full alert.

Based on today’s 6AM updated from the DSWD Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), 285 families or 1,100 persons from the provinces of Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur in the CARAGA Region are currently staying in 19 evacuation centers.

Meanwhile in Cebu, some 548 families or 2,740 persons are currently taking pre-emptive evacuation in Toledo Sports Complex.

Currently, the Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) of the DSWD is intensifying its coordination with concerned Local Government Units (LGUs) in monitoring the areas affected by the inclement weather.

“DSWD’s DreamB is now closely monitoring weather developments and coordinating with other concerned disaster units of the government to ensure there are no surprises that Marce can spring on us. We want to constantly improve and develop our disaster response for the people and make sure all our skills, information and resources are utilized well and maximized for their aid and benefit before, during, and after calamities,” said DReAMB Dir. Felino Castro V.

Sec. Taguiwalo also assures the public that DSWD Field Offices already made advance preparations for ‘Marce’ by continuously updating the status of stockpiles and standby funds and closely monitoring the typhoon’s track.

“We assure the public that despite the huge number of relief items distributed to families affected by previous typhoons, the Department still has enough stockpiles and standby funds that can be used in disaster situations,” said the Secretary.

Moreover, the Secretary calls for strengthened coordination of concerned agencies and the public to minimize any possible casualty during the onslaught of the typhoon. She also reminded citizens to continue to monitor all irregularities in the delivery of relief assistance and operations.

“We have to admit that there are still many problems and weaknesses in the system of relief provision — and these problems have to do with our coordination with LGUs and baranggay units. We reiterate our call to members of the public to be vigilant and monitor rescue and relief actions for all irregularities or failure of service and assistance delivery. We ask the public to report in detail the irregularities they see or monitor so we can address them as soon as we can and to improve the process,” she said.

“We have already surpassed numerous typhoons because of our Bayanihan. Let us continue this practice so we can reach more in need.  So much needs to be done to develop and strengthen the resilience of our communities and ensure that they can bounce back in the wake of calamities. Let us help one another, coordinate efforts and cooperate so we can ensure zero or very minimal loss of life even if as yet we cannot lessen damage to property,” she said. ###