Legazpi city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol has enhanced relief operations in Central Luzon by dispatching an additional 100,000 family food packs (FFPs) to areas impacted by ongoing weather disturbances.

According to Philippines News Agency, Claudio Villareal, head of the DSWD Bicol Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD), stated in a phone interview on Friday that the 100,000 FFPs were delivered in batches from September 8 to 10 and are expected to arrive at DSWD Central Luzon between September 9 and 11. This recent provision increases the total number of FFPs supplied by DSWD Bicol to Field Office III to 150,000, following an earlier delivery of 50,000 food packs.

Villareal explained that the 100,000 FFPs are designated for 100,000 families residing in the provinces of Tarlac and Pampanga. The World Food Program (WFP) contributed logistical support, facilitating the mobilization and rental of 47 trucks to transport relief supplies from DSWD Bicol warehouses to Central Luzon.

The FFPs were sourced from DRMD warehouses located in Baybay, Pili, and Malabog, allowing the field office to utilize its available relief resources for regions requiring further assistance. Villareal noted that the support also complements augmentation efforts by other DSWD field offices as the department coordinates the distribution of relief resources based on the needs of disaster-affected communities.

Through the DRMD, the Regional Resource Operations Section has stockpiles and standby funds totaling PHP303.1 million. The available relief supplies include 92,031 FFPs, 8,131 bottles of water, 16,604 ready-to-eat food items, 2,804 family clothing kits, 1,107 sleeping kits, 11,280 hygiene kits, 1,670 kitchen kits, and 71,704 other non-food items. These resources are strategically prepositioned in designated warehouses and are readily accessible for immediate augmentation and distribution to support disaster response operations across the Bicol Region.