MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday assured the public that it is prepared to respond to any eventuality should Taal Volcano erupt, following a recent warning issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, spokesperson of the DSWD and head of its Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), said Field Office-CALABARZON and the Central Office have heightened monitoring and coordination efforts with concerned local government units (LGUs) and other agencies.

“Mapa-preparation or post-disaster response man ‘yan, we make sure our lines with LGUs are always active dahil sila ang first responders sa kanilang areas of jurisdiction,” Dumlao said in a statement.

PHIVOLCS on Sunday warned that Taal Volcano may erupt due to increased real-time seismic activity and persistently low sulfur dioxide emissions since June.

“We do not wish for the eruption to occur, but we are making sure we are well-capacitated in case it happens,” Dumlao said. “Gaya ng laging sinasabi ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the government must be quick and omnipresent before, during, and after disasters.”

As of July 7, DSWD Field Office-CALABARZON has prepositioned 207,408 family food packs (FFPs) and 13,178 non-food items (NFIs) across strategic storage hubs. The NFIs include hygiene, kitchen, sleeping, and family clothing kits.

Dumlao also said the Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) and its Quick Response Team (QRT) are on standby for immediate deployment, while the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) continues to replenish regional stockpiles.

“Despite ongoing relief efforts in other disaster-affected areas, our nationwide inventory of family food packs remains above 3 million. Under Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s directive, production and replenishment continue without interruption,” she added.

Residents near Lake Taal were reminded to stay vigilant and to closely follow evacuation and safety advisories from their local authorities.

The DSWD reaffirmed its commitment to provide swift and sufficient aid should disaster strike.