Bacolod city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office Negros Island Region (NIR), has provided food packs to families affected by recent flooding incidents caused by a shear line.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) reported that a yellow rainfall warning in Bacolod City led to heavy flooding in 24 villages. Under the directive of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, the DSWD NIR promptly delivered assistance to 320 families impacted by the floods, distributing family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in the area.

The DSWD spokesperson stated that this swift response aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure efficient, timely, and responsive assistance to communities impacted by disasters or emergencies. Dumlao also emphasized that the DSWD NIR is closely coordinating with the Bacolod city government to provide technical assistance and additional support to help affected households recover swiftly after the floodwaters recede.

Dumlao assured that the DSWD is prepared to offer further aid to flood victims, with over 230,000 FFPs available for immediate deployment if necessary. She highlighted the agency's commitment to strengthening its disaster response capacity through the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) program.

The BBH program employs two parallel supply chain mechanisms to enhance disaster preparedness and response. The first supply chain is driven by national and local governments to boost production capacities and processes at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center (LDRC) in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Cebu, and various warehouse facilities across DSWD field offices. The second supply chain involves partnerships with the private sector to leverage the expertise and resources of large and small groceries, supermarkets, manufacturers, and distributors.

Dumlao noted that by utilizing these supply chains, DSWD's regional offices can promptly respond to local government units' requests for augmentation support during disasters.