Following the exit of Typhoon Ferdie in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) maintains its close monitoring and coordination with local government units (LGUs) for possible augmentation support due to the incessant rains brought by the inclement weather.

The DSWD-Field Office II remains on standby to provide additional assistance to affected areas, especially in Batanes where signal number 4 was declared.

Based on information shared to the Field Office  by Mayor Jonathan Nanud of Uyugan, Batanes, there are 350 families or 1,500 individuals from the town who have been affected by the typhoon. They are currently being assisted by the LGU.

Moreover, the mayor said that 20 houses were  reported to be partially damaged and one house totally damaged. No public transportation is available from Basco to Uyugan.

The Rapid Assessment and Needs Analysis  Team of the Regional Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) Region II   spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense is now ready for deployment to Batanes.  Members of the team are awaiting for the aircraft from Villamor Airbase to ferry  them  to the province.

The DSWD also assures the public that it has a total of 475,292 family food packs prepositioned in strategic locations around the country for possible distribution. ###