By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In the wake of Tropical Storm Crising (international name: Wipha) and the ongoing onslaught of the intensified southwest monsoon (habagat) fueled by three low pressure areas (LPAs) monitored inside and outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Tuesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided reassurance that it is hard at work in disaster operations amid torrential downpour in most of Luzon and some areas in Visayas.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in a radio interview that the agency is prepared for the worst, as it had prepositioned three million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in 1,000 warehouses across the country, ready to be dispatched anytime to areas affected by turbulent weather systems.
“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 declared.
The Social Welfare chief meanwhile 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.
Moreover, the agency noted that production of food packs at its production hubs in Pasay City and Mandaue City, Cebu, remains in full swing to ensure a steady supply for families affected by flooding and heavy rains.
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 ‘yong pag binuksan mo, lahat ‘yon pwede mo na kainin kaagad. Wala nang luto-luto. High protein rin at kakainin mo na lang ‘yon,” Gatchalian concluded.
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