As Tropical Storm “Tino” approaches, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7, together with concerned local government units (LGUs), has intensified its coordination and preparedness measures to ensure the safety and welfare of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northern Cebu.

In Bogo City, DSWD-7 camp personnel stationed at the Barangay Banban Evacuation Center and SM Cares Village convened a coordination meeting with tent leaders to discuss safety protocols and necessary preparations for the approaching storm. They agreed to temporarily dismantle the tents immediately to prevent them from being damaged or blown away by strong winds.

Similarly, DSWD-7 camp personnel deployed in the San Remigio Tent City participated in a coordination meeting led by the Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO). During the meeting, it was agreed that IDPs may temporarily seek shelter with relatives for safety, while those whose houses remain safe and structurally sound are encouraged to stay in their homes. Others may stay in the modular shelter units established by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), which are built to withstand stronger weather conditions.

In Medellin, DSWD-7 camp personnel remain in close coordination with the LGU to strengthen local preparedness measures. Among the key agreements are the continuous weather monitoring by Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (BDRRMOs), the prepositioning of medical, response, and rescue teams, and coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the possible use of classrooms as temporary shelters for IDPs, should the need arise.

Meanwhile, in Daanbantayan, DSWD camp personnel and the LGU jointly conducted camp-to-camp visits to ensure that IDPs are informed of precautionary measures for the incoming typhoon. Each camp has already temporarily dismantled its tents to minimize risks from strong winds. Local schools and Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) have also been inspected and designated as alternative evacuation sites should conditions worsen.

DSWD Field Office 7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero assured that the Field Office remains proactive and ready to respond to any impact the storm may cause.

“With the ongoing disaster response operations in Northern Cebu, we affirm that DSWD is on top of ensuring the safety and welfare of internally displaced families through our active coordination with other government agencies and local government units. We have prepositioned food and non-food items across the Central Visayas region, especially in areas where displaced families remain most vulnerable to the effects of the tropical storm,” Lucero said.

As of November 2, 2025, DSWD Field Office 7 has prepositioned 71,535 Family Food Packs (FFPs) and 9,977 Non-Food Items (NFIs) across Cebu and Bohol Provinces to support emergency response operations.

For quake-hit areas, the following supplies have been prepositioned:

Bogo City – 1,366 Family Food Packs

San Remigio – 1,566 Family Food Packs

Medellin – 7,302 Family Food Packs

Daanbantayan – 2,300 Family Food Packs

DSWD Field Office 7 continues to coordinate closely with local authorities, ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to safeguard families potentially affected by Tropical Storm “Tino.” ###