MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has activated its quick response teams (QRT) in Central Luzon and Calabarzon provinces that have requested for assistance because of Typhoon Butchoy on Friday, July 8.

According to DWSD secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, their office is ready to distribute 7,000 food packs in Zambales and another 3,000 food packs in Aurora, while QRTs are monitoring the situations in Bataan and Bulacan. (READ: Typhoon makes landfall in Taiwan; monsoon rains hit PH) 

The field office in Region III has 30,000 food packs on standby – each pack containing 6 kilos of rice, 4 cans of corned beef, 4 cans of sardines and 6 sachets of 3-in-1 coffee or cereal drink.

Field office 4, on the other hand, is monitoring the situations in the provinces of Cavite, Batangas and Rizal which are now given a yellow warning. (READ: How to use PAGASA’s color-coded rainfall advisory)

“In Cavite, low lying parts of Noveleta, Rosario, Imus, and Bacoor are now under water. The LGUs are now alerted of the situation,” Taguiwalo said on Facebook.

The department is also coordinating with the field offices in regions of Luzon including Ilocos (I), Cagayan Valley (II), MIMAROPA (IV-B), CAR and NCR, and Region VI in the Visayas.

While DSWD said that their office in NCR has not received any request for assistance, the staff is currently monitoring situations especially in areas where the yellow warning alert has been raised, including Manila, Paranaque and Quezon City.

The department reported that no civilian has been evacuated as of 7:30am. – Rappler.com 

Dwight De Leon is the president of DZUP Radio Circle, the official student organization arm of DZUP 1602. He is currently an intern at Rappler.