Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday urged the public to prepare and coordinate closely with their respective local government units (LGUs) as Super Typhoon Bavi, to be locally named Inday, is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within 24 hours.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a radio interview, DSWD Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) head Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao emphasized the importance of following LGU advisories, particularly on preemptive evacuations, to ensure public safety. Dumlao assured residents in affected areas that the DSWD's regional field offices are ready to provide essential assistance, including family food packs (FFPs), ready-to-eat food (RTEF), and non-food items for displaced families staying in evacuation centers.
The DSWD has prepositioned more than 4.7 million boxes of FFPs and over 360,000 RTEF packs in warehouses nationwide, ensuring that disaster relief items are ready for distribution. Dumlao also highlighted the delivery of an additional 7,000 FFPs to Batanes as the weather system continues to move west-northwestward. Specialized disaster response equipment, including mobile command centers and water filtration machines, are also on standby.
"Naghanda na po ang DSWD, alinsunod na rin sa kautusan ng Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., na tiyakin po natin na lahat ng ating resources ay magamit para sa magiging disaster response operations kung sakaling tumama itong Bagyong Inday at maapektuhan ang ibang bahagi ng ating bansa," Dumlao stated.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has placed LGUs, especially in Northern Luzon and other hazard-prone areas, on heightened alert. They have ordered the implementation of critical preparedness measures ahead of Bavi's expected entry. LGUs were advised to monitor official weather bulletins closely, activate their Emergency Operations Centers, and ensure that evacuation centers are prepared to receive affected families.
The DILG emphasized the importance of early action, sound coordination, and decisive local leadership as the strongest safeguards against disasters. Local governments were instructed to clear drainage systems, inspect critical infrastructure, and intensify public information campaigns to encourage residents to prepare emergency "go bags" and monitor official advisories. "We expect every local chief executive to remain at their respective stations, lead from the front, and act decisively to protect lives and keep their communities safe," the DILG stated.
