MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has intensified its disaster preparedness efforts as Super Typhoon Champi approaches the country, posing a potential threat to extreme Northern Luzon later in the week.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Champi is tracking northwest toward Taiwan and is expected to cross into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, October 20, where it will be assigned the local name “Rosal.”
State weather bureau forecasts indicate that the cyclone could potentially bring wind signals up to Signal No. 3 or 4.
In response to the looming weather disturbance, data from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) report as of 6 a.m. Sunday, October 18, show that the agency has prepositioned a total of 4,571,390 family food packs, 344,942 non-food items, and 204,745 ready-to-eat food packs across the nation.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, DSWD spokesperson and head of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), emphasized that the agency maintains a proactive stance on disaster management.
“The DSWD does not wait for disasters to happen before preparing. At yung atin pong mga major production hubs ay non-stop sa pag-produce ng family food packs for immediate deployment. Kasi hindi pwede na kung kailan pa magkaroon ng sakuna tsaka pa lang tayo kikilos,” Dumlao said.
She noted that regional warehouses and strategic logistical hubs are continuously utilized to keep supply chains active and ensure timely relief delivery.
“Sa pamamagitan po ng ating strategic hubs at warehouses, pinapanatili nating active ang supply chain para agad agad nating maipahatid ang kinakailangang augmentation support kung sakali man na manghingi ng assistance ang mga komunidad na maaaring maapektuhan,” she added.
Dumlao also urged residents in vulnerable paths to stay vigilant, monitor official updates, and heed local directives.
“Sa atin pong mga kababayan, nanawagan po kami na manatiling alerto, mag-monitor sa mga opisyal na weather bulletins, at sumunod sa mga precautionary measures at abiso ng inyong local government units. Bagamat kami po sa Departamento ay palaging nakahanda, mas mabuti pong ang lahat ay nanatiling handa para ma-secure po ang inyong kaligtasan,” Dumlao concluded.