The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to ramp up the production and prepositioning of family food packs (FFPs) and other relief supplies in major hubs in Luzon and the Visayas as a low pressure area (LPA) is being monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said Thursday that the department is ensuring sufficient relief stockpiles and uninterrupted repacking operations in preparation for possible weather disturbances.

“Hindi pa man po tayo nakakabangon sa epekto ng mga nakaraang tropical cyclones at malakas na pag-ulan dulot ng habagat ay mayroon na ulit LPA sa loob ng PAR. Pero sinisiguro po natin na nakahanda ang DSWD at sapat ang aming stockpile dahil hindi kami tumitigil sa pagre-repack ng ating FFPs (While we have yet to recover from the effects of the previous tropical cyclones and heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, another LPA is already being monitored inside the PAR. But we assure the public that the DSWD is prepared and that we have sufficient stockpiles because we never stop repacking our FFPs),” Dumlao said.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the LPA was being monitored inside the PAR as of 3 a.m. Thursday.

Dumlao said the continuous production of relief supplies is part of the marching order of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that families affected by emergencies receive immediate assistance.

At the Luzon Disaster Resource Center (LDRC) in Pasay City, DSWD personnel, volunteers and cash-for-work beneficiaries continue repacking FFPs until late evening to maximize production.

Production, repacking and logistics operations likewise continue at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, with the assistance of volunteers and DSWD Angels in Red Vests.

Dumlao said mechanized repacking systems and other equipment have helped the department accelerate the production of FFPs.

“Tayo po ay nag-invest din sa teknolohiya para mas maging mabilis ang production. Mayroon din tayong donors na nagbibigay ng mga kagamitan tulad ng forklifts, wrapping machines, reach trucks, electric hand trucks, at marami pang iba na talagang malaking tulong. Kaya nagpapasalamat din tayo sa kanila (We have also invested in technology to speed up production. We also have donors who provide equipment such as forklifts, wrapping machines, reach trucks, electric hand trucks, and many others that are a great help. So, we are also grateful to them),” Dumlao said.

Based on the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information, and Communication report as of 6 a.m. Thursday, the department has more than 3.579 million boxes of FFPs prepositioned in warehouses nationwide.

Of this inventory, 214,795 FFPs are available at the LDRC, while 559,475 food packs are stored at the VDRC.

The continuing production and prepositioning of relief supplies are part of the DSWD’s efforts to ensure the immediate delivery of assistance to families who may be affected by emergencies and disasters. (PNA)