Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has assured the public that the agency is ready for an intensified disaster operations as heavy rains continue to prevail in the coming days based on the forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Secretary Gatchalian said in a radio interview on Tuesday (July 22) the DSWD has prepositioned 3 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in some 1,000 warehouses across the country ready to be dispatched anytime to areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Crising and the southwest monsoon or habagat.
“We have prepared for the worst. Lagi naman ‘yan ang utos ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, na siguraduhin kung ano man ang tatama sa ating bansa ay handa tayo, hindi lang bagyo kundi [pagsabog ng] bulkan, earthquake, sunog,” Secretary Gatchalian told radio station DZBB.
Secretary Gatchalian reported that the DSWD has distributed close to 100,000 boxes of FFPs and the agency will continue sending augmentation support to local government units (LGUs) that will be needing additional food packs..
“Tayo ay nakapaglabas na ng close to 100,000 na FFPs at tuloy-tuloy pa ‘yan,” the DSWD chief told DZBB.
Secretary Gatchalian pointed out that the production of food packs continues daily to maintain a steady supply, especially now that more families are being affected due to flooding and continuous rain.
The agency has two production hubs located at the National Response Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City and at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, Cebu.
“Hindi rin tayo tumitigil mag-produce. So habang meron pa tayong buffer stock, tuloy-tuloy rin tayo,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Aside from the FFPs, the DSWD also distributes ready-to-eat food (RTEF) to affected families, especially those in evacuation centers with no community kitchens or have not yet established kitchens.
“Dalawang klase ang binibigay natin. Meron kaming ready-to-eat para sa mga lugar na mga evacuation center na walang community kitchen. ‘Yan ‘yung pag binuksan mo, lahat ‘yon pwede mo na kainin kaagad. Wala nang luto-luto. High protein rin at kakainin mo na lang ‘yon,” the DSWD chief explained to DZBB.
Secretary Gatchalian reminded the public that the LGUs are the first responders during disasters. The DSWD only steps in to provide augmentation if the LGUs’ supplies run low.
“Alam ng mga LGUs natin na ang DSWD regional offices ay nakaantabay at handang mag-supply sa kanila ng kanilang mga goods kung kukulangin ‘yung kanilang sariling mga supply,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
With the continuous weather disturbances and increasing needs in the field, the DSWD continues to work closely with LGUs to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in times of crisis. (YADP)