Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday assured the public that the agency is on full alert and prepared to deliver immediate aid to families that may be affected by Typhoon Uwan, which could intensify into a super typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
With the international name Fung-wong, the typhoon is expected to make landfall as a super typhoon over the southern part of Isabela or the northern portion of Aurora late Sunday or early Monday before crossing Northern Luzon and exiting into the West Philippine Sea.
“Bilang paghahanda, nagsagawa ang DSWD Field Office 1 – Ilocos Region, katuwang ang mga community volunteers, ng quality inspection sa mga family food packs (FFPs) upang matiyak na maayos ang bawat kahon bago ipamahagi,” Gatchalian said in a Facebook post.
According to Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), the agency currently has over 2 million family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in warehouses nationwide, ready for immediate deployment once the typhoon hits.
The DSWD identified Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon as priority areas for disaster response, as these are projected to be among the hardest-hit regions. Dumlao said more than 40,000 FFPs are prepositioned in Aurora province and 200,000 FFPs across Central Luzon alone.
“Mayroon din tayo, of course, in Cagayan Valley and Ilocos region. Handa po ang DSWD na tumugon sa pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin na maaapektuhan nitong paparating na bagyo,” she added.
The DSWD’s regional offices are in close coordination with local government units (LGUs) and are continuously monitoring high-risk communities to ensure that relief supplies can be mobilized swiftly once needed.