The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in Western Visayas (DSWD FO6) is on high alert as several areas in the region have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 on Thursday due to Severe Tropical Storm Opong.

The agency said in a news release on Thursday that some 111,123 family food packs (FFPs) are available at its regional warehouse and prepositioned sites in the region to ensure immediate assistance to families that may be affected by the inclement weather.

These included 8,362 FFPs in Aklan; 17,885 in Antique; 13,093 in Capiz; 6,498 in Guimaras; and 30,830 in Iloilo. The regional warehouse in Oton has 34,455 packs.

“This effort is coordinated through the regional, provincial, and municipal quick response teams in partnership with the RDRRMC Logistic Cluster member agencies,” the DSWD said in a statement.

It added the agency is ready to provide aid and “assured that no family will be left hungry amid the weather threat.”

As of 2 p.m., the state weather bureau has placed several areas in Western Visayas under TCWS No. 1, including Capiz, Aklan, the municipalities of San Dionisio, Batad, Balasan, Carles, Sara, Concepcion, Ajuy, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Banate, Anilao, San Enrique, City of Passi, Bingawan, Calinog, Lambunao, Dueñas, Dingle in Iloilo, and towns of Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, and Lau-an in Antique.

The tropical cyclone advisory also said the southwest monsoon-enhanced Opong will bring gale-force gusts, especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds that can be felt in Western Visayas on Friday and Saturday. (PNA)