Concerned field offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are now ready to provide augmentation support to local government units (LGUs) who are in need of assistance following the slight intensification of Tropical Storm ‘Odette’ as it makes its way across  Northern Luzon.

“Our field offices in the three regions currently experiencing the wrath of tropical storm ‘Odette’ are consistently monitoring and coordinating with the affected provinces if they are in need of any augmentation support and assistance. Our quick response teams and SWAD teams are also on alert status to assist LGUs in their disaster response operations,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Aleli Bawagan said.

Currently, the Department has 23,334 Family Food Packs (FFPs) available at the DSWD warehouse in FO-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and non-food items composed of 3,000 malong, 1,500 plastic mats, 428 mosquito nets, and 1,500 blankets found at the SWAD Office of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Ifugao, Benguet, and Mt. Province.

In addition, a total of P497,481,102.58 standby funds are available at the DSWD Central Office (CO) and FOs, of which, P451,163,659.05 is the available Quick Response Fund in the CO.

Meanwhile, there are 37 families or 105 persons who are currently staying in two evacuation centers in Apayao province, while five families or 19 persons are currently staying with their relatives.

As of press time, the DSWD Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) is continuously coordinating with Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) teams in other affected regions to monitor the situation on the grounds. ###