The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-6) has readied P169.17 million worth of prepositioned relief supplies and standby funds to augment local government units as the southwest monsoon (habagat), enhanced by Typhoon Inday (international name Bavi), threatens the region.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, DSWD-6 had 24,002 family food packs and 29,862 ready-to-eat food packs at its warehouse in Oton, Iloilo. It also prepositioned 147,883 family food packs and 3,624 ready-to-eat food packs in 74 local government units across Western Visayas, along with P3 million in standby funds.
The agency also has 1,189 sleeping kits, 2,506 hygiene kits, 5,142 kitchen kits, 980 modular tents, 1,067 family kits and 126 laminated sacks ready for distribution.
In a statement Thursday, DSWD-6 said Regional Director Joselito Estember placed the agency’s operations center under blue alert Wednesday evening.
“The directive was issued following the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council VI’s declaration of blue alert due to the expected strengthening of the southwest monsoon, which may bring heavy rains across parts of Western Visayas,” the statement said.
The blue alert ensures government agencies are prepared to respond immediately to the possible effects of severe weather.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education in Western Visayas reported that 16 local government units suspended in-person classes, affecting 489 schools and 117,296 learners.
Schools in 15 local government units in Antique and one in Iloilo province shifted to an alternative mode of learning, the report said.PNA
