The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office-4A (DSWD FO-Calabarzon) on Friday announced the expansion of its disaster response capabilities in the region with the opening of 14 additional satellite warehouses this year.

This brings the total number of warehouses in the region to 72, ensuring faster and more efficient delivery of aid to communities affected by calamities, according to Jessie Jerusalem, head of the Regional Resource Operation Section of the Disaster Response and Management Division of DSWD-4A.

“With the establishment of more warehouses strategically located across the region, we can provide assistance more quickly since our facilities are closer to the communities that need help,” Jerusalem said in a news release.

The 14 satellite warehouses complement the 67 warehouses managed in partnership with local government units (LGUs) through memorandums of agreement — six warehouses in Cavite, 10 in Laguna, 11 in Batangas, six in Rizal and 34 in Quezon.

Under the agreements, LGUs can access the stored relief goods to respond to disasters, in coordination with the DSWD.

The warehouses are stocked with prepositioned food and non-food items that serve as augmentation support to LGUs during emergencies.

According to the DSWD, each facility is designed to store between 1,000 to 1,500 family food packs and 100 non-food items, significantly enhancing the region’s disaster preparedness.

The DSWD official noted that until recently, the FO 4A operated only two warehouses located in Dasmariñas City and Gen. Mariano Alvarez, both in Cavite.

This limited capacity often delayed the delivery of relief goods to remote areas during emergencies. (PNA)