Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Sunday that it has placed all its field offices on full alert in anticipation of Tropical Storm Tino (international name Kalmaegi).
According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD has reinforced its disaster supply chain under the Bagong Bansa Handa (BBH) Program. This measure ensures that relief goods are prepositioned in warehouses nationwide ahead of any calamity. DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) highlighted the implementation of a dual supply chain system to bolster disaster preparedness.
Dumlao explained that the first system is government-led, focusing on the enhanced production and stockpiling of family food packs. The initiative includes expanding warehouse capacity and utilizing local government unit (LGU) warehouses through preposition agreements. The second mechanism involves partnerships with private distributors to further ensure readiness.
With the mechanized and manual packing systems at the Luzon and Visayas Disaster Resource Centers, the DSWD is now capable of producing 18,000 to 20,000 family food packs per day. This capacity enables rapid replenishment and deployment of relief goods to LGUs, ensuring the department's presence "anywhere, anytime," especially during simultaneous or large-scale disasters.
To augment its disaster response capabilities, the DSWD is prepared to deploy specialized equipment such as a mobile command center, mobile kitchen, water trucks, and water treatment units. These resources aim to support evacuees and provide access to safe drinking water.
Tropical Storm Tino, marking the country's 20th cyclone this year, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of Sunday morning, the DSWD has prepositioned a total of 558,098 family food packs (FFPs) across its warehouses nationwide. This includes 122,884 food packs in Mimaropa; 89,566 in Region 6 (Western Visayas); 70,799 in the Negros Island Region (NIR); 71,539 in Region 7 (Central Visayas); 121,331 in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas); and 81,989 food boxes in Caraga.
