The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now in close coordination with its field offices and local government units (LGUs) for possible augmentation support and assistance following the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that hit parts of the CALABARZON Region, particularly in the areas of Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, and Mindoro.

Currently, the Department is now under blue alert status. However, there is already a recommendation to elevate the alert status to red because of the gravity of the impact of the earthquake in several infrastructures and facilities, including hospitals such as the Batangas Medical Center and Taal Hospital.

Moreover, the DSWD Central Office (CO) also continues to maintain its close coordinating with its field office (FO) in CALABARZON and with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Batangas for possible assistance and to determine the extent of damage caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks.

The FO-CALABARZON has already alerted their Social Welfare Assistance Desk​ (​SWAD) Team and ​Quick Response Team​s (QRTs) to monitor their respective Areas of Responsibility and immediately provide report to their Disaster Management Unit (DMU). ​

Tonight, the Department is set to send 50 units of tents from the DSWD National Resource Operations Center (NROC) for distribution to the families who conducted preemptive evacuation, as well as bottles of water and blankets.

A rapid assessment will be conducted tomorrow, April 9, to distribute 45 boxes of ready-to-eat food in Mabini, Batangas for families and patients who were conducted preemptive evacuation.

Meanwhile, DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said that the agency is prepared to immediately provide augmentation support to affected LGUS and other technical assistance since the Department has 119, 831 Family Food Packs (FFPs) prepositioned in the NROC and in FO-CALABARZON.

In addition, the Department also maintains a total stockpile and standby funds amounting to P1,159,951,881.64.

“The DSWD remains on standby for any contingencies and emergencies connected to the earthquake and its impact. We ask Filipinos to prepare their families and communities for possible aftershocks and to remain vigilant. We cannot predict the occurrence of earthquakes, but we can prepare and listen to the instructions of disaster agencies and LGUs. Our goal is always to ensure minimal if not ZERO casualties, so we should all coordinate our efforts when it comes to disaster preparedness,” she said. #