Manila, Jan. 15 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now on blue alert status as it monitors the track of Tropical Depression Ada, the first tropical cyclone that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this year.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) said a blue alert is the second stage of alert for an approaching storm during which emergency preparations are carried out according to plan.

"Ang buong DSWD, kabilang ang aming mga Field Offices, ay patuloy na naghahanda at nakikipag-ugnayan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na madadaanan ni Bagyong Ada. Naka-preposition na ang higit 2.7 million na family food packs (FFPs) sa iba't ibang bahagi ng ating ...