Manila: The Western Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is maintaining the red alert status of its operations center in preparation for Tropical Storms Dante and Emong and the southwest monsoon. In an interview on Wednesday, Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) spokesperson Maria Cristina Mayor said the red alert status, hoisted since Severe Tropical Storm Crising, mandates uniformed agencies to deploy their personnel and strengthen monitoring and coordination.
According to Philippines News Agency, the OCD has been conducting Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments (PDRA) to identify and address potential challenges posed by the two weather disturbances within the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Maria Cristina Mayor emphasized that the OCD has already prepositioned relief goods, including non-food items, and DRRM equipment in Iloilo City and Philippine Army camps in Panay to ensure timely humanitarian assistance. These camps include Camp Jizmundo in Banga, Aklan; Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz; and Camp Fullon in San Jose, Antique.
Mayor further mentioned the expectation of additional requirements, prompting requests for replenishment of welfare goods from the central office. An ongoing procurement process is underway to supply additional goods for the affected populations as needed. Since last week, the OCD has distributed food packs, family kits, shelter repair kits, and hygiene packs to San Dionisio and Ajuy, while the province of Aklan has secured at least 500 food packs for local distribution.
During a virtual PDRA session, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) highlighted that, based on predictive analytics for humanitarian response, starting Wednesday until Saturday, the potentially affected local government units (LGUs) are in Antique. It is expected that 61,733 individuals will require assistance, with a need for 12,348 family food packs. The DSWD has 121,270 family food packs prepositioned across the region, with an additional 15,000 packs currently in transit to the regional warehouse in Oton.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau reported that 313 barangays in Iloilo, Aklan, and Antique are at risk of rain-induced landslides and flooding. Areas of concern include Buruanga in Aklan; Miagao and San Joaquin in Iloilo; and multiple locations in Antique, such as Barbaza, Laua-an, and Pandan. The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the National Housing Authority are coordinating with the OCD to assist families with damaged houses, promising at least 3,000 shelter kits-2,000 for Iloilo and 1,000 for Negros Island-expected to arrive early next week.
