Following the further strengthening of ‘Nina’ into a typhoon earlier this morning, a red alert status will be issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) in preparation for the typhoon’s possible impact to the areas under its track.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 is raised in the areas of Southern Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Island in Luzon, and Northern Samar, Samar and Eastern Samar in the Visayas region.

The DSWD, through its field office (FO) in Region V, has already prepositioned goods amounting to P8,057,660 in 25 local government units (LGUs) to prepare for the possible onslaught of ‘Nina.’

The Department also maintains a total of 571,707 family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in strategic locations around the country.

In addition, the DSWD Central Office (CO), its FOs and the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) have a total stockpile and standby funds amounting to P875,350,057.69 for distribution to areas that will be affected by the typhoon.

DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo reiterates her call to the public to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures, especially those returning to their respective provinces for the holiday season.

“Our Quick Response Teams (QRTs) are now on standby and are monitoring the situation of the areas under the typhoon’s tracks. The NDRRMC Response Cluster is also on red alert to prepare for Nina’s possible damages,” assured Sec. Taguiwalo.

“I know that our citizens are now busy preparing for their Noche Buena feasts, however, we reiterate our call to the public to also prepare for the possible onslaught of the typhoon and to strengthen their coordination with their local disaster agencies. We need to prioritize the safety and security of all, especially our children, pregnant women, PWDs and senior citizens,” said Sec. Taguiwalo. ###