The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on early morning of Thursday (September 25) airlifts 600 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) to Basco, Batanes to augment the relief resources of the provincial government in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Nando.
The 600 FFPs form part of the total 7,000 boxes that the Batanes provincial government has requested from the DSWD.
The DSWD is now coordinating with concerned agencies for the availability of sea or air assets to complete the delivery of the requested FFPs to the province. (MBM)
DSWD on full alert ahead of STS ‘Opong’ with over 2.5 million FFPs
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public on Thursday (September 25) that the agency has sufficient resources to address the needs of families that may be affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Opong, including its 2.5 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) strategically prepositioned in 1,000 warehouses across the country.
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. specifically ordered the Department to ensure that all government assets are available to meet urgent needs and to provide a sense of security for families in vulnerable areas.
“Ang utos po ng Pangulo ay tiyakin na lahat ng resources ng pamahalaan ay readily available upang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga maapektuhan ng kalamidad at tiyakin ang kapanatagan ng kalooban ng ating mga kababayan,” said Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the DSWD spokesperson.
According to Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the stockpile includes 157,295 FFPs in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), nearly 200,000 in Region 5 (Bicol Region), and over 160,000 in CALABARZON — which are among areas in STS Opong’s path.
“Dito po sa National Capital Region (NCR) na syempre uulanin rin po, meron kaming mahigit sa 300,000 FFPs na naka-preposition at matatagpuan po yan sa Luzon Disaster Resource Center (LDRC) sa Pasay City at sa Isla Cargo, which is one of our warehouses dito sa NCR, and that is located in Parañaque,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao told reporters during the DSWD Thursday Media Forum.
Aside from the regular boxes of FFPs, the agency has also prepositioned ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes from DSWD hubs and storing facilities managed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The RTEF is intended to cover the food needs of those who will be affected by sea-travel suspensions, and serve as immediate food provision for evacuees as local government units (LGUs) have yet to set up community kitchens.
In line with the directive of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the agency’s Field offices and quick response teams (QRTs) are on full alert to assist LGUs in making sure that all disaster-affected families receive timely help and support.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao told reporters that the agency has so far released Php22 million-worth of humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and the intensified habagat.
“Ito po ay nagamit na natin sa pagpapahatid nga ng tulong in the form of food and non- food items doon sa mga naapektuhan ng nagdaang bagyo,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
According to the DSWD spokesperson, the agency’s Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) is instrumental in ensuring on-time production and replenishment of relief items amid the overlapping post-disaster response efforts from previous weather disturbances and preparation for STS Opong.
Under the BBH, the DSWD ensures that there are prepositioned supplies in close to 1,000 designated warehouses nationwide ahead of any disaster or emergency.
“Kaya nga po ang DSWD, ina-assure ang mga kababayan na hindi niyo na kailangang mangamba, lalung-lalo na kung kinakailangan ninyong lumikas at manuluyan sa mga evacuation center sapagkat nandito po ang pamahalaan, aalalay sa inyo. Mayroon po kaming mga family food packs and non-food items,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
To speed up replenishment of goods, the DSWD recently called for volunteers in the production of relief goods in the LDRC, formerly the National Resource Operations Center, in Pasay City.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that STS Opong could bring heavy rains, strong winds, and possible storm surges in Eastern Visayas, Bicol, as well as parts of Southern Luzon and Metro Manila starting Friday.
Pre-emptive evacuations are being coordinated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), LGUs, and the DSWD to protect residents in high-risk areas. (LSJ)
