The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with its Field Offices (FOs) in the regions, is on alert as it monitors families and individuals in different parts of Luzon who have been affected by intermittent heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon or ‘Habagat’ that is being enhanced by Tropical Storm ‘Henry.’

DSWD Field Offices in National Capital Region, Region III, and MiMaRoPa have alerted their Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Provincial/Municipal Action Teams (P/MATs) to assist local government units (LGUs) in responding to the affected families and to continuously monitor the weather condition in their respective areas.

Adequate food and non-food items have also been prepositioned by the concerned FOs to the affected cities and municipalities, ready for distribution as augmentation support to the LGUs if the need arises to ensure immediate delivery of services to the affected population.

As of the latest report of the DSWD Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DReMB), 2,300 families or 7,476 persons are affected by the effects of ‘habagat’ in 13 barangays in Regions III and MiMaRoPa.

Some 64 families or 174 persons are currently staying in four evacuation centers in the regions, while 2,217 families or 7,233 persons are currently staying with their relatives and friends in Region III.

DSWD Secretary Virginia “Gee” Orogo said that the Department and its field offices continue to coordinate closely with the affected LGUs to ensure the immediate provision of assistance.

“The DSWD is ready to provide augmentation assistance to our local government units to help them respond to the needs of the affected residents,” Sec. Gee said.

“We are also calling on our fellow citizens in the affected regions in Luzon, especially those living in low-lying areas, to be alert and heed all warnings that will be issued by their barangays and local governments to ensure their safety,” the Secretary said. ###