The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its field offices (FOs) were placed on full alert on Friday as Tropical Storm Nando intensified with a possibility of becoming a “super typhoon” over the weekend.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the DSWD has already prepositioned family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items in key strategic hubs to ensure the immediate distribution of relief goods

The DSWD spokesperson said the department has more than 2.6 million boxes of FFPs in its warehouses nationwide, ready for deployment to local government units (LGUs).

“Our goal is to make sure that assistance reaches the people at the soonest possible time. Prepositioning these resources allows us to respond without delay. Maagap at mapagkalingang serbisyo ang kailangan sa ganitong panahon dahil gusto po ng ating Pangulo na walang magugutom tuwing may kalamidad (Immediate and careful service is what’s needed in times like this because our President wants no one would get hungry each time there is a calamity),” Dumlao said.

As of the 11 a.m. weather bulletin, Nando (international name Ragasa) slightly accelerated westward over the Philippine Sea. It was located 1,005 km east of Central Luzon as of 10 a.m.

While preparing for Nando, Dumlao said the agency would continue to facilitate the distribution of FFPs and non-food items to families and individuals affected by Tropical Depression Mirasol, which is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

For quick delivery of aid and other assistance, LGUs were advised to coordinate with the FOs for possible augmentation requests.

Based on the Sept. 19 Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication report, more than PHP2.27 million worth of food packs and non-food items have been provided to Mirasol-hit residents in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 5 (Bicol Region), 6 (Western Visayas), and Cordillera Administrative Region. (PNA)