Eastern visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office here has assured the public of its readiness for the impacts of Tropical Depression Wilma with 77,866 family food packs on standby.

According to Philippines News Agency, as part of its disaster response measures, the DSWD-Eastern Visayas also prepositioned 12,716 ready-to-eat food packs and 18,574 non-food items across the region for rapid deployment to affected communities.

The DSWD said PHP2.59 million in standby funds is likewise available for immediate relief operations or additional interventions should the situation worsen. 'The department continues to remind the public to coordinate with their respective local governments for assistance or guidance during the weather disturbance,' the regional office said in a news release Friday.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 235 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The cyclone was moving southwestward at 15 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

PAGASA also warned of possible flooding and landslides in Leyte and Samar provinces.