Philippines DSWD enters blue alert for tropical cyclone Saudel

The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed its Disaster Response Command Center on blue alert status. This move comes as officials monitor tropical cyclone Saudel, which is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as early as Monday.

The blue alert status follows a downgrade from red by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Under this status, the DSWD will continue monitoring weather tracks and coordinating with local government units. The agency has prepared over 3.7 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) distributed across strategic hubs in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Additionally, the DSWD has approximately Php667 million in standby funds ready for potential disaster response operations to address the effects of the new weather disturbance and ongoing monsoon conditions.