The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided more than Php202 million worth of aid to families affected by recent disasters including Tropical Depression Bising, the southwest monsoon or habagat, the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), and volcanic activities of Mt. Kanlaon.

Director Maria Isabel Lanada of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) said the agency has delivered more than 167,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items (NFIs) to families affected by disasters across several regions.

“Kung magsisimula tayo kay Bising, nasa Php8.5 million yung total cost ng naitulong natin. For ITCZ-affected families, Php1.7 million. For Kanlaon, naka Php192 million na po ang ating ahensya,” Director Lanada told reporters during the Thursday (July 10) Media Forum at the Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.

The DRMB chief said the DSWD assistance included FFPs, other food supplies, and essential non-food items such as sleeping and hygiene kits as well as kitchen sets.

Director Lanada told reporters that the DSWD remains ready to respond to emergencies with adequate stockpiles and standby funds in place.

“Hindi po [maso-short sa FFPs]. Kung titignan niyo po, sa standby funds, ang ating mga Field Offices at Central Office ay may tig-Php3 million. Ang warehouse capacity ng mga regions natin, 4 million [FFPs] ang capacity. Ang naka-preposition natin, nasa 3 million ngayong oras na ito,” the DRMB director said.

Currently, the DSWD maintains more than Php141 million standby funds, comprising Php93.81 million Quick Response Fund (QRF) at the DSWD Central Office, and Php48 million available at DSWD Field Offices across the country. (YADP)