Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pledged to provide continuous humanitarian support to families impacted by tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, as well as the enhanced southwest monsoon, known locally as "habagat."

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that the department has mobilized resources to aid over 815,000 families, equating to more than 2.8 million individuals, affected by the adverse weather conditions. In a radio interview, Dumlao assured the public of an uninterrupted supply of relief goods, emphasizing that DSWD warehouses across the nation remain secure and dry despite the flooding.

Dumlao explained that one of the department's criteria for selecting warehouse locations is ensuring they are not built in hazard-prone areas, particularly those that are flood-prone. This is to maintain the good condition of the relief items stored within. She highlighted areas such as Benguet in the Cordillera region and Sta. Maria, Bulacan, where persistent rains have led to temporary displacement and prompted residents to seek shelter in evacuation centers.

Despite the ongoing relief efforts, the DSWD has maintained more than 4.7 million prepositioned family food packs (FFPs) nationwide and has PHP1.6 billion in standby funds to support affected local government units (LGUs). Dumlao noted that while the number of food packs had initially exceeded 5 million, the ongoing response operations have reduced this number. However, the Luzon and Visayas Disaster Resource Centers are actively producing goods daily.

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the DSWD had delivered over PHP231.9 million worth of humanitarian aid to families impacted by the weather disturbances, as reported by the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information and Communication (DROMIC). This ongoing response aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure timely and adequate government assistance to communities affected by calamities.

While LGUs are the primary responders during disasters, the DSWD remains prepared to provide additional relief assistance when needed, including support for evacuation centers and affected areas within LGU jurisdictions. Residents with concerns about relief distribution, particularly those outside evacuation centers, are encouraged to coordinate with local officials or contact the DSWD through their official Facebook page, @DSWDserves, for assistance.