The Department of Social Welfare and Development aims to replenish its stocks of family food packs (FFPs), ready-to-eat food packs (RTEFs), and non-food items (NFIs) in areas affected by the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian emphasized that Bicol Region, CARAGA, and Central Visayas are some of the “hungry field offices” in need of additional food packs. The department chief instructed regional directors to provide timely updates on the status of food supplies being distributed to families affected by the super typhoon.

“The field offices that have greater need should be quickly restocked [with new] supplies. These ‘hungry FOs’ are our priority,” Sec. Gatchalian said.

The replenishment of FFPs and other relief items will begin on Wednesday, 12 November, for immediate delivery to the DSWD’s regional field offices. According to Secretary Gatchalian, regional directors must quickly replenish their stocks to keep up with demand amid the calamity.

“Many municipalities are asking us for FFPs. It is better that the capacity of our warehouses be maximized than to run short. Let us not worry that the warehouses will be completely filled with FFPs, because we are distributing them quickly anyway,” Sec. Gatchalian stated in Filipino.

The DSWD Secretary also instructed regional directors to consistently monitor the situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs), and ensure that emergency cash transfer (ECT) assistance will roll out smoothly once ready.

Based on current data, the DSWD has provided more than P6.4 million in initial humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Super Typhoon Uwan. These figures include the prepositioned FFPs and NFIs in the affected areas.

Additionally, the production of FFPs has doubled from 18,000 packs on a regular day to 25,000. Mobile command centers, mobile kitchens, water trucks, and water treatment units have also been deployed in affected areas.

The department noted that it remains open to volunteers who would like to assist in preparing and packing food aid. The Luzon Disaster Response Center is located at Chapel Road, Brgy. 195, Pasay City, while the Visayas hub is at Tingub, Mandaue City, Cebu.