Tacloban: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 8 (Eastern Visayas) has prepositioned relief resources worth PHP139.04 million as it braces for the effects of the continuous rains brought by Tropical Storm Basyang. The regional office remains on heightened alert and is prepared to respond to possible flooding and landslides across the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the standby relief assistance includes 150,683 family food boxes, 11,973 ready-to-eat food packs, and 16,808 non-food items. The agency has also allocated PHP3 million in a standby fund for emergency response. The prepositioning of resources is part of its preparedness measures to ensure the timely provision of assistance to affected families during emergencies.

The DSWD maintains close coordination with local government units to ensure the prompt and orderly delivery of relief assistance to communities that may be affected by the weather disturbance. It has advised the public to remain vigilant and follow advisories and instructions from concerned authorities to ensure public safety amid the weather disturbance.

As of Thursday noon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the center of Basyang was located 285 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The storm was moving westward at 25 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted in several areas in the Eastern Visayas region since Wednesday.