Relief goods prepositioned as Lawin looms –DSWD

The government has prepositioned more than 10,000 food packs and relief goods in Cagayan Valley and other areas expected to be hit by Typhoon Lawin when it makes landfall either Wednesday night or on Thursday.

"It is essential that people meet their food needs especially in these times that disasters come one after the other," said Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo. 

"They can protect themselves better from hazards if they are physically fit and able."

Weather forecasters said Lawin is one of the most powerful typhoons to hit the country this year.

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), some 10,000 family food packs have been moved from its National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City to its warehouse in La Trinidad, Benguet to prepare for Lawin and replenish goods following the onslaught of Typhoon Karen.

It also said about 15,000 family food packs and 450 relief bags donated by the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) will be delivered to San Fernando, Pampanga while 1,7000 food packs will be moved to the Real, Quezon Port.

Palayan, Nueva Ecija and Baler, Aurora will receive 5,000 food packs each, while Tuguegarao, Cagayan will have 3,000 bottled drinking water. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense in the Cordillera Administrative Region will be the recipient of 100 camping lamps and 100 solar panels.

Logistical support and deployment will also be provided through a partnership between the DSWD-Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DReAMB) and NROC.

Taguiwalo urged residents to listen to local authorities and to remain vigilant, noting Lawin's strength.

"Hindi po ordinaryong bagyo si Lawin. Napakalakas po nito.  Ayaw na nating maulit ang nangyari noong Yolanda," she said, referring to the November 2013 super typhoon that left over 6,000 people dead, most of them in the Visayas.

"Nais po namin na mailigtas ang lahat sa padating na bagyo kaya kami po ay nakiki-usap sa inyo na makipagtulungan sa amin at sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan," she added. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News