Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured on Thursday that additional family food packs are available for typhoon victims in Batanes.

In a special report, DSWD Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe said there are still 2,000 family food packs available in Batanes and an additional 5,500 will be delivered to the province once weather improves for travel.

“Right now, mayroon na po tayong nakasakay na 5,500 family food packs sa PCG vessel but hindi po kasi siya maka-diretso ngayon ng Batanes. Currently nasa Pangasinan na ‘yan,” Cajipe said.

Cajipe made the remarks a few days after President Marcos ordered local government units (LGUs) and all concerned national agencies to closely monitor the movement of Super Typhoon Leon and be ready for its impact.

Cajipe said they will closely coordinate with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) to airlift goods once the gale warning is lifted.

“The moment na ibaba ang gale warning at makalipad po tayo definitely mag-start na po tayong magdagdag ng family food pack sa Batanes,” Cajipe said.

Cajipe said they will bring potable water and distribute it to the affected residents.

In its latest report, the PAGASA said the eye of Super Typhoon Leon was estimated at 110 kilometers north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as it moves westward.

PAGASA said Leon has maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 240 km/h. Batanes is currently under Signal No. 4. |PND