Iloilo city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in Western Visayas (DSWD FO6) is on high alert as several areas in the region have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 due to Severe Tropical Storm Opong.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agency announced in a news release that approximately 111,123 family food packs (FFPs) are available at its regional warehouse and prepositioned sites throughout the region. This preparation aims to ensure immediate assistance to families that may be affected by the adverse weather conditions. The distribution includes 8,362 FFPs in Aklan, 17,885 in Antique, 13,093 in Capiz, 6,498 in Guimaras, and 30,830 in Iloilo, with an additional 34,455 packs stored at the regional warehouse in Oton.

The DSWD stated that this effort is being coordinated through the regional, provincial, and municipal quick response teams. This coordination is in partnership with the RDRRMC Logistic Cluster member agencies. The agency also expressed readiness to provide aid and assured that no family will be left without food amid the weather threat.

As of 2 p.m., several areas in Western Visayas have been placed under TCWS No. 1 by the state weather bureau. These areas include Capiz, Aklan, and various municipalities in Iloilo and Antique. The tropical cyclone advisory further indicated that the southwest monsoon-enhanced Opong is expected to bring gale-force gusts, particularly affecting coastal and upland areas exposed to winds in Western Visayas on Friday and Saturday.