Following the expected landfall of Tropical Depression Samuel this Tuesday evening, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now preparing its resources for augmentation to DSWD Field Offices (FOs) that will be possibly affected by the weather disturbance.

Based on the report provided by PAGASA, Signal No. 1 is now raised in the areas of Masbate including Ticao Island, Romblon, southern part of Oriental Mindoro, southern part of Occidental Mindoro, northern part of Palawan including Cuyo and Calamian Group of Islands, Norther Samar, Easter Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo. Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Augusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.

“Our Disaster Response and Management Bureau is closely monitoring disaster reports from affected DSWD-FOs for request for resource augmentation or any technical assistance. All Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams are now on standby for logistics and workforce augmentation,” newly appointed DSWD spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Glenda Relova said.

Currently, the Department maintains a total of 374,104 Family Food Packs (FFPs) amounting to P137,011,608.59 and available Food and Non-food Items (FNIs) amounting to P879,366,772.05.

In addition, a total of P1,121,491,675.15 standby funds is available in the Central and Field Offices (FOs) which can be immediately tapped for quick response operations.

Moreover, family food packs (FFPs) are now being replenished in all concerned FOs to prepare for their possible distribution to affected families.

“We urge citizens to continue to prepare and follow orders from concerned offices to prevent any loss of lives before, during, and after the onslaught of ‘Samuel,’” Asec. Relova said. ###