TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VIII in Eastern Visayas has activated its Quick Response Team (QRT) on January 11, 2023, in response to the widespread flooding caused by a low-pressure area.
The QRT aims to ensure that the entire DSWD Field Office VIII is focused on responding to the effects of the flooding on the region.
According to the agency's report, the region's nonstop rain has affected 53,661 families or 213,737 people. This official report prompted the activation of the QRT.
DSWD Eastern Visayas continues to respond to those affected by the LPA in the region. This morning, January 12, the agency provided 1,865 family food packs (FFPs) to support the Municipality of Gandara in Samar.
The Region VIII Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) Response Cluster, chaired by DSWD Regional Director Grace Q. Subong, also held a virtual meeting today to discuss and consolidate response and augmentation operations for affected individuals, families, and communities.
The meeting was called due to the alarming number of affected families, which stood at 53,661 as of 6 am today.
Attendees of the meeting included OCD 8 Regional Director Lord Byron P. Torrecarion, OCD ARD Rey M. Gozon, executive officials from the Department of Interior and Local Government RO 8, Philippine Coast Guard Region 8, Philippine Army 8IB, Bureau of Fire Protection RO VIII, Tactical Operations Group 8, Department of Health RO8, and Department of Information and Communications Technology RO VIII, who presented disaster response efforts since December 2022, including preparedness, rescue efforts, and augmentation response to affected families.
The DSWD Eastern Visayas assures the public that the situation is being closely monitored and that updates on disaster response efforts will be provided. The general public is advised to remain safe and to heed the guidelines and advisories issued by the local government and other relevant agencies. —iTacloban