DSWD 6 strengthens preparedness measures ahead of Typhoon Uwan

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VI (DSWD FO VI) is ramping up its preparedness operations for the possible impact of Typhoon Uwan in Western Visayas.

Based on the latest weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 2 am today, November 9, Typhoon Uwan continues to intensify, with its center located in the eastern part of Luzon. However, the entire Western Visayas region remains under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

Recovering from the recent onslaught of Tropical Cyclone Tino, DSWD6 has intensified its coordination and response efforts to ensure readiness in assisting families that may be affected by the approaching typhoon.

A series of meetings have already been conducted, including the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region VI, where the importance of strengthened coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs) through their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) was underscored.

LGUs were advised to utilize their existing prepositioned goods to provide immediate aid to affected residents, complementing DSWD’s relief assistance, some of which is still in transit to provincial hubs.

The DROMIC report as of November 8 shows that DSWD maintains at least 41,606 Family Food Packs (FFPs) prepositioned in 51 strategic sites across Western Visayas and in its regional warehouse in Oton, Iloilo.

The agency also has 2,721 Ready-to-Eat Food (RTEF) items available in ports across Iloilo, Aklan, and Antique; 15,693 Non-Food Items (NFIs); and a standby fund of ₱2,790,000.00 ready for resource utilization.

Following the issuance of RDRRMC Memorandum No. 93, which raised the alert status from Blue to Red due to Typhoon Uwan, DSWD6 also elevated its Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC) to Red Alert effective November 8.

All provincial, city, and municipal Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been directed to report to their respective Emergency Operations Centers and coordinate with LGUs to ensure preparedness for response operations.

These include providing technical assistance in DROMIC reporting and ensuring readiness in key response areas such as Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Internally Displaced Persons Protection (IDPP), and the distribution of Food and Non-food Items.

Currently, DSWD6 has 505 QRT members across 101 LGUs on standby for deployment.

The agency’s available logistics assets include the DSWD Mobile Kitchen, the Command Center vehicle, several pickup trucks and AUVs, and three ambulances stationed at the regional office for emergency use.

In line with the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DSWD6 underscores the importance of swift and coordinated action to ensure that all affected families receive timely assistance and essential relief support—leaving no family behind./jam

DSWD Disaster Response Management
Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD

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