About 69,000 family food packs (FFPs) and almost 21,000 non-food items are ready for distribution to the families who are affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in four provinces of Central Visayas, a social welfare official said Thursday.

Tonyson Luther Lee, assistant regional director for administration of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said the FFPs are prepositioned in different local government units (LGUs) even before Kristine entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

“Your DSWD is always ready to assist families who will get affected by calamities. PHP41.1 million worth of FFPs are ready for distribution to the affected families,” Lee told the Philippine News Agency.

Of the number of food items ready for distribution, about 19,948 FFPs are prepositioned in Negros Oriental province, anticipating the effect of the storm on residents in far-flung villages.

In Siquijor and Bohol, a total of 6,133 and 2,922 FFPs, respectively, are also ready for distribution.

A total of 9,770 FFPs are also up for distribution among the affected families in Cebu.

Apart from FFPs, Lee said, there are a total of 20,789 non-food items to be distributed in Cebu (4,800), Bohol (2,051), Siquijor (1,356), and Negros Oriental (617).

Lee said DSWD allocated a total of PHP3 million in standby funds, apart from the PHP41.1 million cost of the FFPs prepositioned. (PNA)