Food packs are for disaster response, not politics — DSWD

BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cordillera is reminding the public that the agency and its services are part of its mandate to serve Filipinos, especially those in dire need.

In a public advisory, the social welfare department of the region stated that the Family Food Packs (FFPs) and Non-Food Items provided by the DSWD are intended solely for disaster-affected families and individuals. "These relief items are part of the agency’s disaster response efforts to ensure the immediate needs of affected communities are met," the DSWD stressed.

The state social welfare agency reminded the public that politicians are not part of any electoral activity. It added that said FFPs and kits should not be affiliated with or distributed on behalf of any candidate, political party, or Party-List participating in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).

"The DSWD encourages the public to promptly report any misuse or improper distribution of these relief items for political purposes," DSWD stated. The DSWD also stressed that its staff and public servants are strictly barred from participating in electioneering or utilizing these resources for partisan activities.

According to the latest update from the DSWD Cordillera, there are available FFPs and NFIs as of February 2025 ready to be distributed to the different local government units as augmentation support in case the need arises due to unexpected incidents and disasters. The DSWD reported that there are 69,191 FFPs and 24,558 NFIs at the moment.