MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed its disaster response operations on red alert as the southwest monsoon, or habagat, continues to bring prolonged rains to parts of Luzon and the Visayas.

The heightened alert follows National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum No. 237, series of 2026, which raised the national alert status from blue to red beginning at 5 p.m. Friday due to recent weather systems affecting the country.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency’s field offices and relief resources are ready to respond to communities that may be affected by flooding, displacement and other weather-related incidents.

According to the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center report, more than 3.4 million family food packs had been prepositioned in warehouses and other strategic locations nationwide as of 6 p.m. Friday.

The agency’s Central Office also has PHP558.77 million in Quick Response Fund available for immediate disaster response operations.

DSWD field offices are coordinating with local government units to facilitate the distribution of additional relief supplies and provide technical assistance when needed.

The department said its relief resources and response teams would remain on standby as it continues to monitor the effects of the habagat.

The public was advised to follow official advisories from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and their respective local governments. 

Residents were also urged to coordinate with local authorities if evacuation or emergency assistance becomes necessary.

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