Baguio city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) -Cordillera Region has activated its quick response teams and prepositioned relief supplies in anticipation of Tropical Storm Fun Wong, which will be named Uwan once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Regional Director Maria Aplaten stated that all systems are ready, with food packs, non-food items, kitchen and hygiene kits, and tents on standby for immediate deployment. Mobile kitchens and a command center equipped with free Wi-Fi and charging stations are also being prepared to support affected communities.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD-Cordillera has 69,988 family food packs, 25,889 of which are prepositioned in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, and 18,481 non-food items, such as sleeping and kitchen kits. About 3,573 ready-to-eat meals and a PHP2.86 million standby fund are also available. The region also has 3,279 evacuation centers equipped with kitchens and restrooms to ensure evacuees’ comfort and dignity.

Maria Aplaten urged residents to remain calm despite forecasts of Uwan becoming a super typhoon. She advised, “Kalma lang tayo, huwag mag-over panic kahit na super typhoon o signal number 4. Alam na natin ang dapat gawin. (Be calm and do not panic, even if it is a super typhoon or signal number 4. We already know what to do). Let us trust ourselves and be prepared.”

Meanwhile, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau advised miners to avoid work during the storm due to possible erosion and landslides. The weather bureau indicated that signal No. 5 remains the highest possible warning level in forecasts as the typhoon moves closer to the Philippines, with severe weather conditions expected to fully set in by Sunday.