DSWD readies 3-M food packs

As tropical depression “Bising” and the southwest monsoon (habagat) continue to bring heavy rains across the country, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday assured the public that it is fully prepared to assist affected families, with over three- million family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned nationwide.

DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau Director Maria Isabel Lanada said the agency has already stocked food supplies in 935 storage hubs across the country, even before the low-pressure area intensified into a tropical depression.

“This reflects our agency’s proactive response, aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure no Filipino goes hungry during disasters,” Lanada said.

“At the DSWD, through our Disaster Response Management Bureau, we make sure that food and non-food relief items are readily available in areas likely to be affected by weather disturbances,” she added.

As of 4 a.m., PAGASA reported that TD “Bising” was located 200 km northwest of Calayan, Cagayan, expected to bring rain and gusty winds to northern Ilocos Norte and the western Babuyan Islands. Meanwhile, the habagat continues to affect Central and Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Lanada also noted that DSWD Field Offices nationwide have over 337,000 non-food items on standby, including family kits, kitchen kits, blankets and modular tents for use in evacuation centers.

“This also ties into our mandate to improve Camp Coordination and Camp Management and ensure social protection for our Internally Displaced Persons,” she said.

Lanada added that other disaster response tools are on standby, including Mobile Command Centers deployed to regional offices to speed up communication during emergencies.

“We also have mobile kitchens operating in all 17 regions, and water treatment units ready in case water supply is disrupted,” she said.

In anticipation of stranded passengers in seaports, the DSWD, in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority, has also prepositioned ready-to-eat food packs in various ports.

With the agency now on blue alert status, Lanada assured the public of immediate support

“You can see the DSWD’s response is comprehensive because Secretary Rex Gatchalian has instructed us to follow a rights-based approach. That means prioritizing people’s right to food and protection — ensuring no one is left behind,” Lanada said.