Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has assured all families and individuals affected by the Mt. Bulusan eruption that the agency has enough family food packs (FFPs) and other relief items prepositioned in a number of warehouses under the DSWD’s Field Office 5 in the Bicol Region.
“Sa side ng DSWD, pinahiram kami ng provincial government at iba’t ibang local government units (LGUs) dito ng mga warehouse, so naka-prepositioned na tayo. In fact, sa buong Region 5, malalapit lang yung regional warehouses natin, we have around 180,000 FFPs as we speak,” Secretary Gatchalian said in a press briefing at the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (SPDRRMC) office on Tuesday (April 29).
The DSWD chief said the agency is ready to supply all the food requirements of families that may be affected in case another volcanic activity occurs.
“Huwag naman sanang lumala, huwag naman sanang kailanganin, pero handang-handa ang DSWD to supply the food requirements. Sa ating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr simple lang [ang kanyang direktiba]—walang biktima o apektado na magugutom,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.
Immediately after the eruption on April 28, Secretary Gatchalian directed the immediate release of 20,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) to Sorsogon as requested by the provincial government.
“May pauna tayong 20,000 boxes of FFPs. Ito ay base sa datos ng provincial government na affected ng yesterday’s eruption. Lahat sila na affected kahapon, may food packs na nakalaan para sa kanila,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
In case of the worst eventualities, Secretary Gatchalian said the DSWD is also ready to
provide financial assistance as directed by President Marcos.
“In the event na umabot tayo doon, bukod sa FFPs, mandatory sa atin sa utos ng ating Pangulo na mag financial assistance pag kinailangan na, pag humaba, lumala. Alam naman natin na hindi lahat ng pangangailangan ng isang pamilya ay matatagpuan doon sa loob ng food box,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
As of press time, the DSWD maintains more than Php2.9 billion worth of standby resources for the agency’s disaster response operations. (YADP)