The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public of its readiness to assist local government units (LGUs) as Northeast Monsoon continues to pour heavy rains in Cagayan Valley and Tacloban.

In a report by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), coastal areas in the said localities are experiencing rough sea conditions while low-lying areas may be flooded.

As part of its mandate, the DSWD is prepared to provide technical assistance and resource augmentation (TARA) to LGUs to ensure that the immediate needs of those who will be affected by the weather disturbance are met.

In Cagayan Valley, the Department, through its Field Office II, has already prepositioned relief items in 83 LGUs and two Provincial LGUs in the region. These include more than 24,400 family food packs and 5,400 non-food items. 

Likewise, Field Office II continues to monitor and coordinate with the Municipal Action Teams while its disaster response personnel are now on standby/on-call status. 

Meanwhile, in Eastern Visayas, DSWD-Field Office VIII has issued an order to allow a skeletal workforce among its employees following the declaration of work suspension of the concerned LGU due to the rainfall being experienced in Tacloban.  

Furthermore, the Social Welfare and Development Teams of FO VIII are monitoring the situation on the ground to ensure that any concerns that may be encountered will be immediately addressed. 

As of January 2, the DSWD has P100 million available standby funds and 576,455 available family food packs (FFPs) ready for augmentation to affected LGUs.

The DSWD appealed for the public to remain vigilant and to follow the orders of their local officials to ensure their safety. ###