The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has kept its Disaster Response Command Center on Blue Alert as it prepares for the entry of Typhoon Saudel into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Expected to cross the country’s northeastern boundary on Monday, August 24, the approaching storm will receive the domestic name “Obet” upon entry.
The DSWD sustained its heightened monitoring status despite the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) downgrading the operational alert level at the national operations center from Red to Blue on August 20.
“Although the alert status has been lowered, the DSWD continues to monitor and coordinate with various government agencies and local governments that need assistance due to the previous storms and enhanced southwest monsoon. The DSWD is also ready to respond to any possible effects of the new weather disturbance outside the PAR,” Social Welfare Disaster Response and Management Group Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Sunday, August 23.
To support relief operations, Dumlao confirmed that the agency has ₱667 million in standby emergency funds. Additionally, more than 3.7 million family food packs have been strategically prepositioned across regional hubs and remote supply routes nationwide.
The relief inventory includes approximately 369,000 food pack boxes stored at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City, 512,000 boxes at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Mandaue City, and 174,000 boxes at the Mindanao Disaster Resource Center in Butuan City.
The DSWD is maintaining close coordination with local government units (LGUs) and field offices to support communities still recovering from recent tropical cyclones and southwest monsoon rains.
Given the potential for continued heavy downpours, the agency urged residents in vulnerable areas to exercise caution regarding floods and landslides.
“We urge the public to remain prepared and listen to the advisories and instructions of their local officials to avoid any untoward incidents that may be caused by bad weather,” Dumlao said.