Northern Mindanao – Systems for the disaster operation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development are now set for the coming of Typhoon Ruby.
A Quick Response Team at the DSWD Field Office X in Cagayan de Oro City is now ready to be deployed to provide assistance to families should they need it.
30,000 family food packs are also prepositioned at the Field Office, while P1,000,000.00 standby fund is now in place for disaster operations.
While the local government units serve as the direct providers of assistance during disaster operations, the DSWD is mandated to extend augmentation to the local government units when requested by their chief executives.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Northern Mindanao, which is composed of the provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, and Bukidnon, was identified as one of the critical areas under level C – an alert level for areas having a rainfall of 10-20 millmeters/hour, or heavy to intense rains and winds of 100-70 kilometers per hour.
The impact of this alert level, according to PAGASA, include heavy damage to agricultural; some large trees uprooted; moderate to heavy disruption of electrical power and communication services; and travel by land, sea and air is dangerous.
Written by Charmaine P. Tadlas, DSWD