DSWD is now in a heightened alert status in light of the recent Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) threat.
Following the recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in the Philippines, DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) has now activated its Emergency Operations Center and is now coordinating with the Local Government Units (LGUs) to monitor the situation. Recently, DRMD Project Development Officers (PDOs) have already gathered information on the number of Persons Under Investigation/Monitoring here in Region VIII.
Aside from monitoring the situation, DSWD is also preparing its Food and Non-food items, in case the LGUs request for augmentation. Similar to any disasters, the first responders are the LGUs. DSWD will only augment based on the request and recommendation of the LGUs.
Although COVID-19 is a health concern, with the initial response headed by the Department of Health (DOH), DSWD is preparing to help as head of the Food and Non-food Items Cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).