The continuous operation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) disaster resource hubs ensured the replenishment and availability of food and non-food items for augmentation to local government units (LGUs) affected by Tropical Storm (TS) Ferdie and Tropical Depression (TD) Gener, compounded by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
“As directed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, disaster preparation in the DSWD must be 365 days in a year. We always ensure that there are family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items for our kababayans,” Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Wednesday (September 18).
According to the DSWD spokesperson, the agency has so far released more than Php28.9 million humanitarian assistance to families affected by the weather disturbances.
A total of Php94,476.00 in cash aid was also provided to 74 beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
Based on the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC) report on September 18, the agency has a stockpile of more than 1.77 million FFPs across the country.
The FFPs are strategically prepositioned in the DSWD Field Offices’ (FOs) warehouses and in the agency’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City and at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, Cebu.
“Currently, the agency has Php166.53 million Quick Response Fund (QRF) at the DSWD Central Office; Php29 million available at the affected FOs; and Php17.03 million available in other DSWD FOs which may support the relief needs of the families affected by the effects of the southwest monsoon, TS Ferdie, and TD Gener,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out.
In total, the DSWD maintains more than Php2.8 billion stockpile and standby funds, according to Asst. Secretary Dumlao.
As of press time, a total of 348,572 families or 1,222,674 in 1,608 barangays in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), MIMAROPA, 5 (Bicol Region), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been affected by the weather disturbances.
The concerned DSWD FOs continue to coordinate with the LGUs on the conduct of disaster relief operations for their constituents.
