Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is on high alert as the low pressure area (LPA) being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has a 'high chance' of becoming a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that the DSWD is prepared for any weather disturbance as the department prepares family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items (NFIs) all year round. Dumlao emphasized that disaster preparation at the DSWD is a continuous process and they do not wait for the LPA to develop into a typhoon before preparing relief items.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has reported that the LPA is currently located 1,110 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao and is predicted to enter the PAR today. In response, the DSWD has ensured that they have sufficient FFPs stored in various locations including the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Mandaue City, Cebu, and other regional and provincial warehouses nationwide.

Under the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the DSWD has prepositioned relief supplies not only in major hubs but also in regional warehouses and local government units, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Dumlao mentioned that all field office regional directors, especially those in the Visayas and Mindanao, where the LPA is expected to pass, have been instructed to prepare all necessary supplies, manpower, and equipment.

Furthermore, all Quick Response Teams and Mobile Command Centers, which are equipped with satellite internet, gadgets, and generator sets, are on standby and ready for deployment in anticipation of the weather disturbance's impact.