By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
On the heels of the agency’s earlier prepositioning of aid to ensure swift response to residents affected by calamities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported the distribution of over P2 million in aid to families and individuals affected by the combined effects of Tropical Depression Mirasol and the southwest monsoon (habagat) amplified by Super Typhoon Nando.
In a press release Monday, DSWD Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said that the agency has already extended 3,872 family food packs (FFPs) supplemented by non-food items such as family, kitchen, and sleeping kits.
Dumlao said, “These relief items have already reached our disaster-hit kababayans in the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Capiz, and Iloilo whose local government units (LGUs) have coordinated with us for additional supplies to support their local response operations.”
The DSWD is also ramping up its coordination with concerned LGUs to ensure timely distribution of relief aid to intended beneficiaries.
Under the “Buong Bansa Handa” Program, the DSWD ensures that there are prepositioned supplies in close to 1,000 designated warehouses nationwide ahead of any disaster or emergency.
The DSWD maintains P1.5 billion in standby funds and stockpiles of food and non-food items across Field Offices nationwide.
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