The Department of Social Welfare and Development, through its Field Office (FO) IV-A, is ready to augment the resources of local government units (LGUs) that will be affected by the increased volcanic activity of the Taal Volcano.

To date, the Field Office has more than P2.6 million worth of family food packs (FFPs) and over P8.5 million worth of available relief supplies for repacking. It also has more than P8.3 million standby funds that can be used to procure additional emergency relief supplies.

Aside from ensuring the availability of emergency resources,  the disaster teams from the FO, led by DSWD Undersecretary  Jose Antonio R. Hernandez, attended the virtual conference of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) IV-A–Response Cluster on February 16 to discuss the preparedness for response operations of localities in the lakeshore of Taal Volcano.

The FO has also placed its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) under heightened alert to monitor volcanic activities and to provide technical assistance to municipalities that will require assistance.

As head of the Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department can deploy members of its Quick Response Teams to assist LGUs in managing evacuation centers that will be set-up for displaced families.

The Department is also urging locals to be vigilant and to strictly follow the orders of local authorities for their own safety. ###