DSWD readies relief resources as ‘Kristine’ threatens Caraga

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Caraga has mobilized relief resources as Tropical Storm Kristine threatens the region. In a statement, DSWD-13 reported it has prepositioned over PHP75.6 million worth of food and non-food items and PHP3 million in standby funds. The agency said it has 7,918 family food packs (FFPs) stored in regional warehouses and an additional 105,204 FFPs prepositioned in various local government unit (LGU) facilities. There are also 31,168 non-food items ready for distribution as needed. "The agency is fully prepared to respond to emergencies," DSWD-13 said, adding it is coordinating with LGUs to monitor the situation in areas affected by the storm. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Kristine was located 35 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph. The storm is moving northwest at 10 kph. The provinces of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Buc as Grande Island, remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as of Tuesday morning. (DSWD-13 infographic) Source: Philippines News Agency