Baguio city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) has called on all municipalities within the region to set up warehouses to store government relief and humanitarian supplies, facilitating quicker access in times of disasters and emergencies.
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-CAR Regional Director Maria Aplaten highlighted the importance of these warehouses in an interview, emphasizing that they would allow for the prepositioning of relief items, making them readily accessible during calamities. Aplaten noted that 13 local governments have yet to establish a warehouse or sign a memorandum of agreement with the DSWD for storing relief goods. These municipalities include two in Abra, one in Apayao, three in Benguet, two in Mountain Province, and five in Kalinga. In contrast, all municipalities in Ifugao have completed their agreements with DSWD-CAR.
Aplaten detailed the standards that DSWD warehouses must adhere to, including sufficient space to store supplies for at least one-third of households, protection against rodents, insects, and water damage, and the appointment of an accountable staff member. This staff member would be responsible for safeguarding the goods, monitoring stock levels, checking expiration dates-which should be at least three months ahead-and ensuring that supplies remain undamaged.
The DSWD routinely prepositions supplies in anticipation of the typhoon season and maintains readiness throughout the year, particularly in disaster-prone areas. Aplaten underscored the region’s vulnerability to landslides and road blockages, which could delay the delivery of humanitarian supplies, thus highlighting the need for prepositioned items.
Furthermore, Aplaten urged local governments to acknowledge the significance of having prepositioned goods and to allocate suitable storage areas for the benefit of their constituents. Relief items nearing the three-month expiration window, such as family food packs and ready-to-eat meals, are used in the local government’s ‘Food-for-Work’ program to prevent wastage.
In a separate statement, DSWD disaster risk reduction and management focal person Novelle Ongat encouraged far-flung and remote barangays to establish their warehouses to receive prepositioned supplies. Ongat pointed out that some villages require hours of walking to reach, making it crucial for these communities to have readily available supplies in case of emergencies.
