AS typhoons and intensified southwest monsoon rains continue to bring widespread flooding and devastation across Luzon and parts of the Visayas, various government agencies have stepped up coordinated emergency operations to provide immediate relief, conduct rescues, and stabilize affected communities.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday released PHP625 million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to replenish its Quick Response Fund (QRF)—a standby resource used to immediately assist areas affected by disasters.

In turn, DSWD conducts relief operations in coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs). 

Aside from this, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency is prepared to distribute cash assistance to families affected by the devastation caused by Crising.

In line with this, the National Food Authority (NFA) has mobilized emergency rice stocks to support families hit by heavy rains from recent typhoons and monsoon rains. 

The NFA, in coordination with DSWD, released 6,600 sacks of rice to Tarlac for immediate disaster relief distribution.

Additional allocations include 200 sacks for the Puerto Princesa City local government and 300 sacks for the provincial government of Palawan.

Meanwhile, both Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Philippine Coast Guard are on the ground to conduct rescue operations. 

In Pampanga, the Philippine Air Force’s Disaster Response Task Unit conducted multiple rescue operations amid persistent monsoon rains, including flood response and emergency extrication following a vehicular accident.

On the other hand, the PCG has rescued nearly 5,000 people from life-threatening floodwaters across Metro Manila and several Luzon provinces, as typhoons and relentless monsoon rains submerged communities in chest-deep water.

Heavy rains continue to drench several parts of the country due to Tropical Cyclones Dante and Emong, both of which are enhancing the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of July 24, at least 40 localities across the country have declared a state of calamity, enabling LGUs to access emergency funds, freeze prices of basic goods, and enforce forced evacuations in high-risk areas. 

This declaration also accelerates national government response by easing regulatory requirements for aid distribution and infrastructure repairs.