The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended over P1.9 million worth of relief assistance to families affected by Typhoon ‘Tino.’ Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) said the humanitarian aid, which includes food and non-food items (FNFIs), was distributed in the typhoon-hit regions of Bicol, Central Visayas, and CARAGA.

“Even a day before, we were monitoring the situation and coordinated with our local counterparts. We assured them that we are ready to augment their resources. If additional aid is needed, our food packs and non-food items are easily accessible as they are prepositioned in areas that may be affected by Typhoon Tino,” Dumlao said in an interview on Tuesday, 4 November 2025.

The amount of assistance is expected to increase as DSWD Field Offices continue conducting situational analyses in their respective areas of responsibility (AORs). Dumlao assured the public that the agency has not experienced any challenges in its disaster response, citing the prepositioning of relief goods under the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) program as a key factor for rapid deployment.

“One of the preparations carried out by the Department is ensuring that there are sufficient prepositioned goods across the country, including geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA),” she said. “We also ensure that the items are monitored, safe for consumption, and that the quantity of food and non-food items in our warehouses is adequate.”

The BBH program employs two parallel supply chains for disaster preparedness and response. The first is a national and local government-driven chain aimed at increasing production capacities and processes at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center (LDRC) in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, and other storage facilities across all DSWD Field Offices. The second relies on agreements between DSWD Field Offices and large and small supermarkets, groceries, manufacturers, and distributors to leverage private-sector resources and expertise.

“These preparations are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the well-being of our citizens affected by various calamities,” Dumlao said.

In addition to FNFIs, the DSWD deployed a mobile kitchen to provide hot meals to locally stranded individuals (LSIs) at Matnog Port in Sorsogon. As of press time, around 53,570 families or 175,531 individuals were temporarily staying in 2,156 evacuation centers in MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region (NIR), Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and CARAGA. Meanwhile, some 20,565 families or 65,751 individuals are staying with relatives or friends.

“Again, we remind our citizens to listen to local government advisories and coordinate with authorities for smooth distribution of aid. Pre-emptive evacuations from homes should be followed as a measure to ensure safety,” Dumlao added.