Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) personnel supervise the unloading of family food packs in Bauang, La Union on Aug. 27, 2026. The DSWD said Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, that it is on red alert as it monitors the prolonged effects of the southwest monsoon in parts of Luzon and the Visayas. — Photo courtesy of DSWD
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is on red alert as it monitors the prolonged effects of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” in parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
The alert status was heightened in adherence to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum 237, series of 2026, which raised the national alert status from blue to red effective 5 p.m. Friday due to recent weather systems affecting the country.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) assured the public that the department continues to prepare for the possible effects of prolonged rains and flooding.
“We continue to be ready because of the continuous effects of the habagat in several areas of Luzon and the Visayas. Our field offices are on heightened alert, and our relief resources are ready so we can immediately respond to the needs of our countrymen when needed,” the DSWD spokesperson said in a statement Saturday.
She said the DSWD will continue to monitor developments and maintain its relief resources and response teams on standby, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that assistance can be promptly delivered to families and communities as parts of the country continue to experience the prolonged effects of the habagat.
According to the latest Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Communication (DROMIC) report, as of 6 p.m. Friday, the DSWD has more than 3.4 million family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in various warehouses and other strategic locations nationwide.
The DSWD Central Office also has P558.77 million in Quick Response Fund (QRF) available to support immediate disaster response operations.
Dumlao emphasized that DSWD field offices are in close coordination with local government units (LGUs), particularly in areas that may experience flooding, displacement, or other disaster-related incidents, to facilitate possible relief augmentation and provide technical assistance.
She likewise reminded the public to stay vigilant and regularly monitor official weather and disaster advisories, particularly as the habagat continues to bring rains to affected areas.
“We remind the public to be updated of official advisories from [the weather bureau] PAGASA and their local governments. We also encourage everyone to coordinate with their LGUs if they need to evacuate or for any emergency assistance,” Dumlao said.