In anticipation of Tropical Depression Querubin’s impact, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) has strategically placed relief supplies in warehouses starting Tuesday afternoon. The agency is on high alert, continuously monitoring the situation and maintaining close coordination with local government units (LGUs) to manage the threat effectively.
DSWD-13 has prepared 125,063 family food packs and 29,562 non-food items ready for immediate distribution. The agency has also secured PHP180 million in relief resources, including PHP1.8 million in standby funds and PHP178 million designated for non-food items. The Disaster Response Management Division of DSWD-13 activated its Quick Response Team on Tuesday to oversee the situation and collaborate with LGUs.
Local governments in the region are also taking proactive steps through their Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils. In response to heavy rainfall, the town of San Miguel in Surigao del Sur suspended classes from kindergarten to high school on Wednesday.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council-13, under the leadership of the Office of Civil Defense, has reported that various agencies and LGUs have started emergency preparedness and response initiatives. The Department of Health-13 is ready to provide additional resources, with medicines prepositioned throughout the region’s five provinces.
Additionally, the Coast Guard District Northeastern Mindanao has mobilized its deployable response groups to support emergency operations.