The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported Monday that it has provided more than P6.4 million in initial humanitarian assistance to families affected by Super Typhoon Uwan.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who personally inspected operations at the agency’s Luzon Disaster Response Center before traveling to Pampanga to check the deployment of family food packs (FFPs), said the aid includes food packs and non-food items prepositioned across various regional hubs and warehouses.

“Bago pa ‘tong Bagyong Uwan, mayroon tayong halos 2 million na family food packs na nakakalat sa buong bansa so iyang mga prepositioned goods na iyan, iba pa iyan sa dito sa mga pino-produce kada araw,” Gatchalian said.

He added that the amount of assistance will continue to increase as relief operations are ongoing.

“Kung tatanungin tayo kung may sapat na food packs para sa ating mga kababayan, mayroon at handang-handa ang DSWD na tumulong sa ating mga local government units (LGU) para marespondehan ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga mamamayan,” he said.

To ensure rapid replenishment, the DSWD has doubled its repacking output.

“Kung dati-rati nagpo-produce tayo on a regular day ng mga 18,000 family food packs, ngayon umakyat tayo to 25,000 kasi nga alam natin na kailangan natin na i-augment o supplyan ng family food packs ang ating mga local government units,” Gatchalian said.

The DSWD chief emphasized that response efforts are being carried out across multiple regions simultaneously.

“Hindi ko kayang sabihin kung saan yung concentration kasi para sa amin. Lahat concentration, lahat iyan importante, lahat ng mga naging biktima ay importante sa amin. Walang pina-prioritize, lahat sila priority,” he added.

He also clarified that the department’s disaster-response vehicles and equipment, including water trucks, water purification units, mobile kitchens, and a mobile command center, were deployed ahead of the typhoon.

“A lot of people think yung mga equipment ay nasa Metro Manila. Wala po, katulad ng aming mga family food packs, naka-preposition na iyan sa mga rehiyon natin,” he said.

Gatchalian also expressed gratitude to DSWD personnel for their commitment amid overlapping disasters.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng mga kawani ng DSWD, mga social workers, at mga community development workers… They are the ones that actually power the Department, and I am very grateful to the 40,000 strong DSWD employees who are with us during these trying times,” he said.