DSWD readies quick response teams for ‘Ramon’

With Tropical Depression Ramon threatening to affect parts of Visayas and Mindanao this week, the Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday placed its field offices along the projected path of the cyclone on high alert. The DSWD’s field offices in Western Visayas and Caraga regions activated their respective Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) teams, the DSWD said. In a news release, the DSWD said the QRTs and SWAD teams are to coordinate with the provincial, city and town disaster management councils in their respective areas, and make an inventory of evacuation centers. The DSWD said its Caraga office has 2,000 family packs and a standby fund of P506,677, while its Western Visayas office has 2,000 family packs and a standby fund of P500,000. As of 4 p.m. Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration indicated “Ramon" may make landfall over Eastern Visayas by Wednesday. Placed under Storm Signal No. 1 were Surigao del Norte, Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, and the Dinagat Group of Islands “Ramon" may bring 5 to 20 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) rain from its 300-km diameter, PAGASA said. — KBK, GMA News