The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has completed the construction of a PHP40-million satellite warehouse in Allen, Northern Samar, to store essential food packs and other relief materials.

DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua on Monday said the opening of the new warehouse in the northern part of Samar Island will serve families in Northern Samar frequently affected by flooding during severe weather disturbances.

“The satellite warehouse aims to enhance the agency’s capacity to store and distribute relief goods and essential supplies more efficiently, particularly during emergencies. The location is in Northern Samar but the area that it can serve is not limited to that province,” Chua said in a phone interview.

The warehouse can store food packs and other materials for 10,000 to 15,000 families.

With the new warehouse now operational, the DSWD regional office here is better equipped to respond swiftly to the needs of Northern Samar and surrounding areas, according to Chua.

Prior to the completion of the satellite warehouse, the DSWD prepositioned food packs in a warehouse run by the Office of the Civil Defense in Allen town, which used to store emergency response equipment.

Apart from Allen town, the DSWD also regularly stores family food packs in Biri, Northern Samar; Jipapad, Taft, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Almagro and Santo Niño in Samar; Maripipi Island, Kawayan, and Naval in Biliran province; Sogod, Southern Leyte; and the DSWD regional resource operations center in Palo, Leyte.

The designation of warehouses in areas without DSWD facilities ensures the faster delivery of relief goods in case of disasters. (PNA)