Manila: Members of the Mamanwa tribe in Almeria, Biliran, who also suffered the brunt of Severe Tropical Storm Opong in September received food supplies from the national government. The 17 families of Indigenous Peoples’ group residing in the upland Sitio Palayan in Barangay Caucab received 87 family food packs (FFPs) on Monday from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with assistance from the Philippine Army.

According to Philippines News Agency, the assistance aims to help villagers living in remote areas meet their food needs and ensure that no one goes hungry after a disaster. Each FFP contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of cereal drinks.

Aside from the DSWD, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) also distributed food assistance to the Mamanwa tribe. OCD Eastern Visayas regional director Lord Byron Torrecarion personally distributed sacks of rice to tribe members, assisted by the Tactical Operation Group of the Philippine Air Force, which airlifted the relief goods to the community.

The aid brought by OCD is described as providing renewed hope to families who are still recovering from the cyclone’s devastation. Guided by the principle of leaving no one behind, this latest mission brought much-needed assistance to one of the most remote and vulnerable communities in the province.