The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Wednesday it is prepositioning 176,050 family food packs (FFPs) to boost its readiness for the impact of weather disturbances in Eastern Visayas.

DSWD 8 (Eastern Visayas) information officer Jonalyndie Chua said they have been beefing up their stocks for the effects of the rainy season, including the current low-pressure area and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

“DSWD is always ready to respond. We have been monitoring the situation and coordinating with affected local government units,” Chua told the Philippine News Agency.

The stock of food supplies and non-food items worth PHP163.15 million will ensure faster delivery of relief goods in case of severe flooding and other disasters, she said.

These FFPs are stored in warehouses in Allen and Biri towns in Northern Samar; Jipapad, Taft, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; the DSWD regional resource operations center (RROC) in Palo, Leyte; and Sogod, Southern Leyte.

Other stockpiles are in Almagro and Santo Niño in Samar and Naval, Maripipi, and Kawayan in Biliran province.

Each FFP contains 6 kg. 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.

Among the prepositioned items are ready-to-eat food packs at the DSWD RROC to ensure that food supplies are available and easily accessible in times of crisis.

“By stockpiling these essential food supplies in advance, the agency can provide and respond swiftly to those in need. This initiative highlights the department’s commitment to ensuring that disaster-affected families and individuals receive food aid quickly and efficiently,” Chua said.

Aside from FFPs, the DSWD has also prepared 18,600 ready-to-eat food and 23,628 non-food items.

Authorities have been issuing flood advisories for Eastern Visayas this week due to the impact of the low-pressure area and the habagat. (PNA)