Legazpi City, August 24, 2025 — As part of the directives of President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos in strengthening disaster preparedness and response efforts in anticipation of heavy rains and future typhoons, particularly the current Low Pressure Area, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office V – Bicol Region, through its Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), took part in the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Scenario Building Meeting with the Disaster Preparedness Committee (DPCOM) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (PDRRMOs).
PAGASA presented the regional weather forecast, noting the expected heavy rainfall in the coming days with improvements anticipated by Wednesday. DSWD Bicol, in turn, discussed the possible affected areas, availability of prepositioned stockpiles, and evacuation center inventory, highlighting the Agency’s readiness to extend immediate relief assistance.
APSEMO underscored the preparedness of heavy equipment and vehicles for road clearing and other emergency response activities. The PDRRMOs also shared their actions taken and anticipated needs, particularly food items from DSWD, while emphasizing the importance of close coordination with Provincial and Local Government Units (P/LGUs) to assist possible strandees at local ports.
In addition, DSWD reminded partner stakeholders of the significance of Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and the protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs). It was also reported that DSWD Provincial and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (P/MSWADs) are ready to extend assistance once Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) are activated.
Regional Director Norman S. Laurio assured the public that the Agency is well-prepared, noting that aside from prepositioned Ready-to-Eat Foods (RTEFs), two(2) Mobile Kitchens are on standby for deployment to different ports across the region. He described this initiative as “one of the best practices here in Bicol,” ensuring that affected families will have immediate access to hot meals during emergencies.
The PDRA meeting concluded with concrete actions taken to reinforce inter-agency coordination, resource allocation, and operational strategies, underscoring the collective commitment, with guidance and the strong leadership of DSWD Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian, to safeguard Bicolanos from the possible impacts of the Low Pressure Area (LPA) and future calamities.
Source: DSWD Region V Bicol