The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed its operations under red alert status as Tropical Depression Wilma continues to accelerate, affecting the Bicol Region and several areas in the Visayas.

“Simula po kahapon ay naka-red alert status na ang DSWD at ang aming Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC). Nakatutok ang aming ahensya at mga Field Offices (FOs) upang patuloy tayong makapaghatid ng kinakailangang tulong sa mga kababayan natin na apektado ni Wilma,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said on Saturday, 6 December.

Dumlao, who also serves as DSWD spokesperson, said all field offices in affected regions are in constant coordination with local government units to ensure a timely and well-coordinated response.

She assured the public that the department has sufficient family food packs, ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes, and other essential relief items. As of press time, the DSWD maintains P2.1 billion worth of relief stockpiles and standby funds.

“Kahit po walang bagyo o kalamidad ay tuloy-tuloy ang pagre-repack ng DSWD at ng ating mga volunteers sa ating Luzon Disaster Resource Center sa Pasay City at Visayas Disaster Resource Center na nasa Mandaue City, Cebu. Kaya handa po tayo sa immediate na pagtugon sa request for relief assistance,” Dumlao said.

On Friday, 5 December, the DSWD Field Office 5 in the Bicol Region distributed RTEF to around 2,000 stranded passengers and drivers at the Matnog and Castilla ports in Sorsogon. Stranded passengers at the Surigao City Port and Nasipit Port likewise received RTEF through DSWD Field Office Caraga.

Dumlao added that the Quick Response Teams of various field offices are on standby should emergency situations arise. She also said the department’s mobile command centers and mobile kitchens are prepared for deployment to ensure the swift delivery of assistance.

“Lahat po ng puwede nating i-deploy para makapaghatid ng agarang tulong ay nakahanda na bilang tugon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Secretary Rex Gatchalian na wala dapat pamilyang magugutom sa panahon ng sakuna,” Dumlao said.