Quezon city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian led the distribution of maternity kits to pregnant or lactating mothers affected by a recent fire at the Manila Seedling Compound along Sen. Miriam Santiago Avenue. This initiative aims to support mothers temporarily residing at an evacuation center following the March 6 fire incident along NIA Road.

According to Philippines News Agency, the maternity kits are part of DSWD's specialized disaster response efforts to ensure that lactating mothers, pregnant women, and families with children aged 0 to 12 months receive essential health and protection services. Secretary Gatchalian emphasized that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the department to prioritize the welfare of evacuees, particularly the vulnerable groups such as mothers and young children.

Each maternity kit includes a range of items such as a storage box, breastfeeding scarf, breast pump, maternity pads, baby clothes, and other necessary supplies for mothers and infants. Gatchalian highlighted that the initial batch of kits is being sent to various DSWD Field Offices for immediate distribution to evacuation centers across the country, addressing the needs of displaced individuals.

Gatchalian noted that disasters like the NIA Road fire strain a family's resources, disproportionately affecting lactating mothers, pregnant women, and young children. As part of the President's mandate, DSWD is researching and developing additional specialized kits for other vulnerable sectors, such as senior citizens, to ensure comprehensive disaster assistance.

The specialized kits represent DSWD's commitment to providing sector-specific aid, demonstrating a focus on the precise needs of vulnerable populations rather than offering generic assistance.