DSWD Western Visayas Activates Blue Alert for Tropical Storm Basyang
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI has launched extensive preparedness operations across Western Visayas in anticipation of Tropical Storm Basyang's potential impact. These proactive measures, initiated on February 4, 2026, are based on coordinated weather forecasts and disaster risk assessments conducted with regional agencies.
Pagasa Forecast and Projected Path
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Iloilo Radar Station, Tropical Storm Basyang is currently tracking southwestward and is expected to shift to a west-northwestward trajectory by Friday morning, February 6, 2026. The weather disturbance's center is predicted to make initial landfall over eastern Mindanao between Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Pagasa further projects that the storm will pass through Western Visayas on Friday before likely weakening into a low-pressure area as it moves into the West Philippine Sea by Monday. This forecast has prompted urgent disaster preparedness activities throughout the region.
Coordinated Disaster Preparedness Measures
A Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment meeting was conducted earlier with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Western Visayas to strengthen coordination mechanisms. The meeting emphasized enhanced collaboration with local government units through their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to ensure readiness and rapid response capabilities at the community level.
In response to the developing situation, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (RDRRMO) has raised Western Visayas' alert status to Blue, effective at 8 a.m. on Thursday, February 5. This elevated alert level ensures prompt coordination with all concerned agencies and offices throughout the region.
Strategic Resource Prepositioning
As part of its disaster response readiness, DSWD Field Office VI has implemented comprehensive resource prepositioning strategies:
- 132,635 family food packs have been strategically positioned across 69 locations in Western Visayas as of February 2, including substantial reserves at the agency's regional warehouse in Oton, Iloilo.
- 23,419 ready-to-eat food items have been placed at key ports in Iloilo, Aklan, and Antique to facilitate quick distribution should access to affected areas become disrupted.
- 14,877 non-food items have been prepared for families who may require immediate assistance during or after the tropical depression's passage.
Financial and Operational Readiness
For financial preparedness, DSWD Field Office VI has established a standby fund amounting to P3 million available for immediate utilization to support relief and response operations as needed. This financial reserve complements the physical resources already in position throughout the region.
The agency emphasized that its preparedness actions align with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and guidance from DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, focusing on swift, coordinated, and efficient response measures. This approach aims to ensure that families potentially affected by Tropical Storm Basyang receive timely and adequate assistance throughout the weather event.
Ongoing Monitoring and Coordination
DSWD Field Office VI continues to maintain close coordination with regional and local disaster management agencies while actively monitoring weather updates from Pagasa. This continuous vigilance ensures that response mechanisms remain adaptable as Tropical Storm Basyang approaches Western Visayas, with all systems prepared for potential activation based on the storm's actual behavior and impact.
