Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been authorized to use emergency lanes along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to speed up the delivery of relief goods to areas impacted by recent tropical cyclones and the intensified southwest monsoon.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Leo Quintilla of the DSWD's Resource and Logistics Management announced that with the support of NLEX management, DSWD delivery trucks are now allowed to traverse the emergency lanes. This access is designed to expedite the distribution of family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items to localities in Central Luzon and nearby regions that have been hit by severe rainfall and flooding.

Quintilla highlighted that the emergency lane access would enable the DSWD to deliver 380,000 boxes of FFPs to local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon. The continuous distribution of relief goods necessitates immediate replenishment of stockpiles in the most affected LGUs, with a goal to meet replenishment targets in warehouses within five days.

To ensure swift passage, DSWD delivery trucks will be equipped with visibility certificates or signage, delivery receipts, and 'do not delay' signs, allowing traffic enforcers and NLEX personnel to easily identify them. Quintilla reassured the public that the DSWD is actively replenishing relief goods at all major disaster hubs.

Repacking operations are ongoing at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Mandaue City. These efforts are supported by volunteers who assist with repacking alongside mechanized production systems. As of the latest update, the DSWD has over 3.5 million FFPs prepositioned in hubs, spokes, and last-mile warehouses nationwide, ready for immediate deployment during disasters.