By Janice Cave
MANILA, (PNA) — The government has prepositioned relief goods and standby funds for those who will be affected by typhoon Santi, a Palace official said Friday.
“Field offices of DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] have been activated and coordinating with its local counterparts,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a media briefing.
Valte said the DSWD has prepositioned P156.13 million worth of emergency relief resources including the standby fund worth P12.03 million, 37,858 family food packs worth P9.39 million, other food worth P25 million and non-food items worth P109.71 million.
As part of DSWD preparations, Sec. Dinky Soliman ordered the activation of all Quick Action Response Teams (QUARTs) in DSWD regional offices to closely monitor the situation.
She added authorities will conduct preemptive evacuation of families in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to minimize casualties.
State weather bureau PAGASA has raised storm signals in several areas in Luzon as Santi is expected to make landfall on Saturday.
Seven provinces are placed under Storm Signal number 3. Metro Manila is under signal number 1.