In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to swiftly deliver assistance to those affected by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) and DSWD Field Offices to immediately send family food packs (FFPs) and other relief items to typhoon-hit communities.
In a situation briefing led by President Marcos at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Headquarters in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo on Wednesday (July 24), the chief executive directed the DSWD to adjust the distribution of relief items, especially in the areas with the most numbers of affected families.
“Yung distribution ng stockpile ninyo, i-adjust na ninyo. Nakikita na naman natin yung trend kung saan dumadaan, where are the areas that are being hit hardest. As much as possible, doon na tayo mag start prepositioning as a response to the need para hindi tayo mahirapan,” the President pointed out.
During the situation briefing, Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) and Concurrent Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) Leo Quintilla reported the activities and response efforts of the DSWD.
“Mr. President, currently we have a total of around one million family food packs (FFPs) and with a total standby funds and stockpiles funds of Php2.6 billion,” SAS Quintilla said.
The DSWD also maintains more than Php1.2 billion worth of other food and non-food items (FNIs).
According to the NRLMB Concurrent OIC, these stockpiles are in the agency’s disaster response centers, regional offices, and in the last mile warehouses in the LGUs, especially in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
The boxes of FFPs and other relief items have been prepositioned even before Typhoon Carina entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
“We still have around 1.6 million available FFPs through our framework agreement with different suppliers that are ready to be drawn down anytime we need additional relief goods to augment the LGUs,” the NLRMB Director said.
Based on the July 24, 6:00 AM report of the DSWD-Disaster Response Operations Management, Information Center (DROMIC), a total of 45,328 families equivalent to 91,062 individuals in 225 barangays in the National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, 5 (Bicol), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been affected by the weather disturbance.
Some 1,702 families or 6,524 persons are currently taking temporary shelter in 126 evacuation centers in the NCR, Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and CALABARZON and MIMAROPA.
The DSWD has earlier set its Disaster Response Command Center (DRCC) on red alert status or all human and material resources are available for duty and deployment.
DSWD calls for volunteers to repack relief goods in NROC for Carina-hit families
As Typhoon Carina compounded by the southwest monsoon or the ‘Habagat’ continues to batter a large area of the country, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has called for volunteers to help in the repacking of family food packs (FFPs) for families who are affected by the weather disturbance.
“We request interested individuals or groups to join us as we repack relief goods for our kababayans affected by the typhoon and the Habagat. This will ensure that we have enough food packs to sustain the needs of our kababayans,” DSWD Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Wednesday (July 24).
Those interested to volunteer may contact, Ms. Shara Lee of the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) at mobile number 09260612646 and email address, [email protected] for scheduling.
The DSWD repacking center is at the NROC warehouse located along Chapel Road, Barangay 195 in Pasay City.
The DSWD spokesperson reminded those who want to volunteer to wear comfortable clothes, closed toe shoes and bring water bottle container and own food.
“We thank in advance those who want to join us in the production of family food packs. We know that the spirit of volunteerism is alive in times like this,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
