The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas has prepositioned more food and non-food items and identified evacuation centers in localities in Negros Oriental as part of “Oplan Exodus,” an official said Wednesday.

DSWD-7 director Shalaine Marie Lucero said they heightened their response operations in preparation for the Oplan Exit Operations During Uncertainties Strategy or Oplan Exodus for residents in localities near Mt. Kanlaon.

As of Monday, the regional field office of DSWD has already prepositioned a total of 40,122 family food packs (FFPs) worth PHP25.9 million and 8,948 non-food items (NFIs) worth PHP14 million in the two provinces of Negros Island, Lucero said.

She added that 900 family food packs from the Vallehermoso warehouse have already been distributed to families affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s activity but are located outside evacuation centers.

The prepositioned goods include family kits, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen kits, modular tents, and laminated sacks.

Additional supplies, such as camp management kits, women-friendly space kits (WFS), and child-friendly space kits (CFS), are also prepared for evacuation centers.

Lilibeth Cabiara, chief of the DSWD-7 Disaster Response Management Division, noted that a team from Canlaon City local government unit (LGU) will visit host LGU evacuation centers to assess compliance with minimum standards for accommodating evacuees.

“The DSWD will ensure that designated evacuation centers are fully equipped and prepared to accommodate families and individuals who may need to evacuate,” Cabiara emphasized.

The proactive measures under “Oplan Exodus” reflect the DSWD’s commitment to protecting communities at risk and ensuring their safety and welfare. (PNA)