Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday assured the public that the agency is prepared for intensified disaster operations as heavy rains continue to lash parts of the country due to Tropical Cyclone Crising and the southwest monsoon.

During a visit to evacuees housed at the Atis Covered Court in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City, Gatchalian said the DSWD has prepositioned three million family food packs (FFPs) in over 1,000 warehouses nationwide, ready for immediate dispatch to areas affected by flooding.

“We have prepared for the worst. Lagi naman ‘yan ang utos ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, na siguraduhin kung ano man ang tatama sa ating bansa ay handa tayo, hindi lang bagyo kundi [pagsabog ng] bulkan, earthquake, sunog,” Gatchalian said.

As of Tuesday, the agency has distributed nearly 100,000 FFPs and will continue to send augmentation support to local government units (LGUs) that need additional supplies.

“Tayo ay nakapaglabas na ng close to 100,000 na FFPs at tuloy-tuloy pa ‘yan,” he added.

Gatchalian emphasized that the production of food packs continues daily at the DSWD’s two major hubs—the National Response Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Cebu—to maintain a steady inventory.

“Hindi rin tayo tumitigil mag-produce. So habang meron pa tayong buffer stock, tuloy-tuloy rin tayo,” he said.

Apart from the standard FFPs, the agency also distributes ready-to-eat food (RTEF) packs for evacuees in areas without functioning community kitchens.

“Dalawang klase ang binibigay natin. Meron kaming ready-to-eat para sa mga lugar na mga evacuation center na walang community kitchen. ‘Yan ‘yung pag binuksan mo, lahat ‘yon pwede mo na kainin kaagad. Wala nang luto-luto. High protein rin at kakainin mo na lang ‘yon,” Gatchalian explained.

He reminded the public that LGUs are the first responders during disasters, and the DSWD only steps in for augmentation once local resources are depleted.

“Alam ng mga LGUs natin na ang DSWD regional offices ay nakaantabay at handang mag-supply sa kanila ng kanilang mga goods kung kukulangin ‘yung kanilang sariling mga supply,” Gatchalian said.

He also stressed the importance of constant coordination with LGUs to ensure that “no Filipino is left behind” in times of crisis.

Aside from overseeing relief distribution, Gatchalian also took time to speak with evacuees and ask if they needed further assistance.