Eastern visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced its preparedness for weather disturbances in Eastern Visayas by prepositioning 176,050 family food packs (FFPs). This initiative aims to enhance the region’s readiness for the rainy season’s impacts, including a current low-pressure area and the southwest monsoon, known locally as ‘habagat.’

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD 8 (Eastern Visayas) information officer Jonalyndie Chua stated that the department has been diligently increasing its stockpile of essential supplies. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure rapid delivery of relief goods in the event of severe flooding or other disasters. The food and non-food items, valued at PHP163.15 million, are stored in strategic locations throughout the region, including Allen and Biri in Northern Samar, Jipapad, Taft, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar, and the DSWD regional resource operations center (RROC) in Palo, Leyte, among others.

Each family food pack contains 6 kilograms of rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, and five sachets each of coffee and cereal drinks. The RROC also holds ready-to-eat food packs to ensure supplies are readily available and accessible during crises.

Chua emphasized the importance of these preparations, noting, “By stockpiling these essential food supplies in advance, the agency can provide and respond swiftly to those in need. This initiative highlights the department’s commitment to ensuring that disaster-affected families and individuals receive food aid quickly and efficiently.”

In addition to the FFPs, the DSWD has readied 18,600 ready-to-eat food items and 23,628 non-food items. Authorities have issued flood advisories for Eastern Visayas this week due to the current weather conditions.