The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has expressed its appreciation to the Philippine Navy’s 4th Marine “Makusug” Brigade for assisting in the hauling of 10,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in Ilocos Norte at the height of Typhoon Emong and habagat.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng Philippine Navy sa mabilis na paghahatid ng aming family food packs at iba pang relief items. Dahil sa kanila, mas napadali ang pag-abot ng tulong sa mga lugar na nangangailangan,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Monday (July 28).

Soldiers from the 4th Marine Brigade transferred the 10,000 boxes of FFPs from the DSWD warehouse in Barangay Camangaan in Laoag City, to the Takuat Center in Barangay 16, San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte.

According to the DSWD spokesperson, the Marines provided both manpower and transportation support, making the movement of goods faster and more efficient.

“The partnership with the Philippine Navy and other government agencies and private sector-partners ensured that relief supplies would be ready and accessible in case of sudden weather disturbances or other emergencies, not only in the Ilocos Region but across the country,” DRMG Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.

The DSWD spokesperson also highlighted the support from the Navy’s Marines as it reflects the strong coordination among government agencies under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s “whole-of-government” approach to disaster response.

“Hindi lang ito trabaho ng isang ahensya. Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng ating Pangulo, nagtutulungan ang buong gobyerno para matiyak na agad na may tulong sa bawat Pilipino sa panahon ng kalamidad,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said. (YADP)