The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 (Central Visayas) has already distributed more than 225,000 family food packs (FFPs) across 12 local government units (LGUs) in northern Cebu affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sept. 30.

DSWD-7 Director Shalaine Marie Lucero told the Philippine News Agency in an internew on Tuesday that they are now preparing for a second wave of FFP distribution to the badly-hit areas.

“As directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we have to make sure that no one goes hungry. Hence, we are now getting ready to distribute more food packs to the affected communities,” Lucero said.

She noted that DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the quake-affected regions in Cebu on Tuesday to verify compliance with the President’s directives.

The latest report showed 179,917 affected families, or 681,417 individuals, in the areas, including Bantayan Island (Sta. Fe, Madredejos, Bantayan), mainland Borbon, Catmon, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, Tabogon, and Tabuelan.

Initially, the report also estimated 5,000 destroyed houses and 44,000 damaged houses, but Lucero said the number is expected to rise.

The DSWD will provide PHP10,000 each for those whose houses were destroyed and PHP5,000 each for those whose houses were damaged, pending LGU validation.

In addition, four mobile kitchens have been deployed to provide free meals to residents in areas most affected by the earthquake, and modular tents have been set up for the displaced victims.

The DSWD-7 is also calling for volunteers to help in the disaster relief operations in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross. (PNA)