DSWD: Food packs prepositioned in Agusan Sur ahead of ‘Basyang’ onslaught
By Kelvin Kennt Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) — A total of 9,095 family food packs (FFPs) have been prepositioned across the six municipalities of Agusan del Sur and are ready for distribution as preparations continue for the feared effects of Tropical Storm Basyang.
Agusan del Sur is among the areas placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as of February 5.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Agusan del Sur assured the public that the agency has been prepared, even before TS Basyang entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
“This time, we are conducting preparedness activities. Although we are part of the response thematic committee, a key part of our response involves pre-positioning goods for distribution during the disaster,” said Michael Andohuyan, social welfare and development (SWAD) team leader for DSWD Field Office Caraga – Agusan del Sur.
“We also have non-food items ready, including kitchen kits, sleeping kits, and tents. In total, we have P65 million worth of non-food items,” Andohuyan added.
The DSWD has also strengthened its quick response teams (QRTs) at both the regional and provincial levels to monitor conditions in municipalities and barangays.
“Members of these quick response teams will monitor barangays and municipalities for internally displaced persons or evacuees, ensuring real-time reporting. This allows us to respond immediately to requests from local government units (LGUs) for augmentation,” he explained.
The agency is aiming for zero casualties during the calamity, which is why it has prepared ready-to-eat food for affected families.
“We have already procured ready-to-eat foods such as nutritionally fortified biscuits that we can provide immediately during the disaster,” Andohuyan said.
The DSWD continues to urge the public to stay alert, heed LGUs’ reminders, and prioritize family safety. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur, with the report from PTV Agusan del Sur)
