As Tropical Depression ‘Crising’ continues to travel across the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its field offices (FOs) continue to prepare for its landfall in Samar area this afternoon.

Based on the recent bulletin of state weather bureau PAGASA, public storm warning signal number 1 is already raised in parts of Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas, which includes the following areas: Sorsogon, Burias Island, Romblon, Masbate, Ticao Island, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, northern parts of Cebu, northern parts of Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.

Concerned DSWD-FOs are now on standby and are continuously coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to prepare for the possible onslaught of Crising since the tropical depression is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains which can cause possible landslides and flooding.

Currently, the DSWD maintains a total of 418,290 Family Food Packs (FFPs) in its National Resource Operations Center (NROC) and all regional offices ready for possible augmentation to LGUs, and standby funds amounting to P1,054,408,549.12.

In addition, repacking of relief goods in concerned regions is also ongoing in preparation for Crising’s impact.

“Patuloy po ang koordinasyong ng DSWD sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at sa mga ahensyang miyembro ng NDRRMC upang paghandaan ang maaring epekto ng bagyong Crising (The DSWD continues to coordinate with local governments and member agencies of the NDRRMC to prepare for the possible effects of tropical depression Crising),” said DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.

Moreover, the Secretary also called on the public to remain vigilant and prepared.

“Nais din po naming ulitin ang paalala sa publiko na manatiling handa at makipagtulungan sa gobyerno dahil nakapahalaga po ng partisipasyon ng ating mga kababayan upang mabawasan ang pinsala na maaring dulot ng bagyo (We also want to remind the public to be prepared and to continue to work together with the government because their participation in disaster preparedness can help minimize the possible impacts of the storm),” ended Sec. Taguiwalo. ###