The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) raised its operational status to red alert on Friday to monitor and manage the ongoing effects of the southwest monsoon, locally termed habagat, across parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
This heightened alert status was implemented following National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum 237, series of 2026, which officially escalated the national emergency stance from blue to red at 5:00 p.m. on Friday due to active weather systems.
DSWD Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao assured the public that the department is prepared for potential flooding and prolonged precipitation.
“Patuloy po tayong nakahanda dahil alam natin na patuloy pa rin ang epekto ng habagat sa ilang bahagi ng Luzon at Visayas. Naka-heightened alert po ang ating mga field offices at nakahanda ang ating mga relief resources upang mabilis nating matugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan kung kinakailangan,” Dumlao stated.
The agency affirmed that its field units, relief supplies, and response teams remain on standby to deliver immediate support to affected families, following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
According to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Communication (DROMIC) report issued Friday evening, the agency maintains a inventory of over 3.4 million family food packs strategically positioned nationwide, alongside ₱558.77 million in Quick Response Funds (QRF) managed at the central office.
Regional branches are coordinating with local government units (LGUs) in high-risk zones to provide resource augmentation and operational assistance as needed. Dumlao urged residents in vulnerable areas to follow safety advisories closely.
“Pinapaalalahanan po natin ang ating mga kababayan na manatiling updated sa mga opisyal na abiso ng PAGASA at ng kanilang mga lokal na pamahalaan. Hinihikayat din po natin ang lahat na agad na makipag-ugnayan sa kanilang mga LGU kung kinakailangang lumikas o kung mangangailangan ng anumang emergency assistance,” she added.