Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to be on high alert in responding to the needs of families and individuals affected by the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ and the low-pressure area (LPA) that have brought heavy rains in various parts of the country since Aug. 22.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the department is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that aid is delivered to those who need it without delay. ‘We have prepositioned relief goods in our warehouses and are working hand in hand with local government units (LGUs) for faster distribution,’ Dumlao said in a statement on Wednesday.

She said the DSWD has already extended more than PHP2.8 million worth of assistance to affected families and individuals, including family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items. Based on the latest report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication, 9,445 families, or 42,858 persons, in 72 barangays in Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen have been affected by the weather disturbances.

Dumlao reassured that the agency’s field offices are ready to provide them with continuous support until they recover. The DSWD maintains more than PHP2.1 billion worth of stockpiles and standby funds for immediate augmentation to affected LGUs.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the LPA in the vicinity of Patnanungan, Quezon will continue to bring ‘significant and widespread rains’ over large parts of Luzon. Meanwhile, another LPA was spotted 200 km. west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan. The LPAs are expected to enhance the southwest monsoon in the next few days.