The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is calling for volunteers to join in the production of family food packs (FFPs) for the relief efforts for families affected by the latest eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday (April 8).
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said on Wednesday (April 9) that more manpower is needed at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC), the agency’s main disaster response hub located at Chapel Road in Barangay 195, Pasay City.
“We are calling on our kababayans in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby areas to help in the agency’s repacking operations at the NROC. In times of calamities, it is our deep sense of Bayanihan that allows us to stay resilient, and ensure swift delivery of aid to communities in need. Now is the perfect time to put our compassion to action,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the DSWD’s spokesperson, said.
Interested groups and individuals may coordinate with Ma. Shara Lee at mobile number 09691795117, Kevin Sanchez at 09764803953, and Wea Buranday at 09544576952 from 8AM to 5 PM.
Volunteers are requested to wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes, and to bring their own bottled water and packed meals.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said that following the explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon early Tuesday morning, the Department immediately coordinated with affected local government units (LGUs) and other concerned agencies to monitor the needs of affected families, in line with the directive of Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
“We assured the LGUs that they can request for resource augmentation anytime. In fact, we have strategically prepositioned over 150,000 boxes of FFPs in the Negros Island alone for a more seamless relief operations in the area,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Based on the latest report of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information Communication (DROMIC), a total of 12,761 families or 48,850 individuals were affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in the Negros Island.
Of the affected families, a total of 2,608 families or 8,316 persons are currently taking temporary shelter in 22 open evacuation centers, while 3,702 families or 11,892 persons are temporarily staying with their friends or relatives.
“There was a slight increase on the recorded number of affected families, but we can manage as we have more than 2.6 million boxes of FFPs, as well as non-food items (NFIs) prepositioned in our warehouses nationwide which we can immediately tap to augment affected LGUs’ resources,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The agency has been sending relief supplies since day one of last year’s eruption and has since ensured that the needs of the evacuees are always monitored and given immediate interventions as part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s marching order to ensure that no one will go hungry in times of disaster.
Since the Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption last December 9, the DSWD has extended more than Php131 million worth of humanitarian assistance to affected families and individuals.(LSJ)