Baghdad:Bicol The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol has provided 7,753 family food packs (FFPs) to farmers and families impacted by the prolonged dry spell due to El Niño in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-Bicol Director Norman Laurio stated that this initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to ensure government assistance reaches vulnerable communities, enhancing their resilience to climate change.

The distribution benefitted residents in Sta. Magdalena, Sorsogon; Talisay and San Lorenzo Ruiz in Camarines Norte; and Cawayan, Masbate. Specifically, 222 FFPs were given to farmers in Sta. Magdalena, 762 to beneficiaries in Talisay, and 469 to those in San Lorenzo Ruiz, Camarines Norte.

In Cawayan, Masbate, the agency distributed 6,300 FFPs to affected families across various barangays, in collaboration with the local government and the municipal agriculture office, which identified the most affected households.

"The assistance aims to address the immediate food needs of farming families whose livelihoods and incomes have been affected by the prolonged drought," Laurio remarked in a statement. Many in the affected areas depend on agriculture and natural resources, making them particularly vulnerable during extended periods of drought.

This food distribution is part of DSWD-Bicol's ongoing efforts to support communities facing challenges from El Niño and other climate-related issues. The agency is also implementing Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and Project BINHI (Building and Nurturing Inclusive and Healthy Communities) to tackle concerns related to water security, food production, and livelihoods.