The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strength coordination with its field offices (FOs) and other disaster-mitigation agencies now that severe tropical storm ‘Nock-ten’ has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The weather disturbance was given the local name ‘Nina’ after it enters PAR at 3AM today. According to state weather bureau PAGASA, ‘Nina’ is moving West Northwest at 25 kph and will have a maximum sustained winds of up to 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph.

Currently, the Department maintains 573,730 Family Food Packs (FFPs) strategically prepositioned across the country and standby funds amounting to P127,013,772.09 ready for augmentation to local government units (LGUs) that will be possibly affected by the inclement weather.

Region VIII Update

Meanwhile, the number of families affected by the torrential rains in Region VIII increased to 33,161 families or 141,929 individuals in 240 barangays. Due to the improving weather, families who took temporary shelter in all evacuation centers in the region have returned to their respective homes.

The DSWD FO-VIII has delivered additional relief items in the affected municipalities in Eastern andNorthern Samar for distribution to affected communities.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo also assured the affected families that the Department’s regional office will continue their close coordination with their LGUs and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for further assistance and augmentation support.

“This coming Christmas, we hope that the Bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people will once more assert itself and we help one another  prepare our families and communities to overcome any devastation  new weather disturbance will cause,” reminded Sec. Taguiwalo.  “We also want to reiterate that the safety and security of the most vulnerable members of our families — children, the elderly, the sick, and pregnant women — have to be guaranteed and ensured. We call on the public to coordinate with local disaster agencies in their communities regarding preparations for storm and to heed all warnings that will be issued. The main goal is to have zero casualties,” she said. ###