The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) has a standby stockpile of PHP150 million worth of family food packs and non-food items as part of the preparation for the possible impact of Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi).

In an interview Friday, DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio said at least 68,354 family food packs (FFPs) and 55,072 non-food items were prepositioned in various warehouses in the region’s six provinces.

“The available resources of DSWD-Bicol are allocated for response operations and resource augmentation to support local government units,” he said.

Laurio added that the agency has a PHP3 million standby fund ready for disbursement if needed.

Each family food pack can provide for a family of five for at least two days. Each box contains six kilos of rice, canned goods, coffee, and cereals.

The non-food items include family, sleeping, hygiene, and kitchen kits, among others.

Laurio said they continue to coordinate with various local governments and response teams to strengthen community preparedness as the region braces for the impact of the approaching typhoon.

“All DSWD staff in the region have been placed on standby for immediate deployment. A reorientation and briefing session was conducted for the Quick Response Teams to ensure that they are fully informed about their schedules and tasks, guaranteeing effective management throughout the disaster operation,” he said, adding that the agency has equipment ready for use such as trucks and generator sets.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is hoisted over the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate. (PNA)