Manila, Aug. 29 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is on red alert as it monitors the prolonged effects of the southwest monsoon or "habagat" in parts of Luzon and the Visayas.

The alert status was heightened in adherence to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum 237, series of 2026, which raised the national alert status from blue to red effective 5 p.m. Friday due to recent weather systems affecting the country.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) assured the public that the department continues to prepare for the possible effects of prolonged rains and flooding.

"Patuloy po tayong nakahanda dahil alam natin na patuloy pa...