DSWD Prepares Over 4.9 Million Food Packs Ahead of Tropical Depression Luis

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has announced the prepositioning of over 4.9 million family food packs across the country in anticipation of the effects of Tropical Depression Luis (TD Luis). According to DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumalo, the national stockpile currently stands at over 4.9 million family food packs, strategically placed in more than 1,000 warehouses nationwide, containing both food and non-food items. "Our citizens can be assured that assistance for those affected by Luis, and other extreme weather phenomena, will be swift, timely, and sufficient," Dumalo stated. In areas where Signal No. 1 has been raised, DSWD regional directors are coordinating with their respective jurisdictions to ensure prompt aid augmentation. DSWD has already extended assistance, providing ready-to-eat food boxes to stranded passengers in Region 5 and family food packs to residents in some evacuation centers in Zamboanga. Even before the approach of Tropical Depression Luis, the DSWD had been producing family food packs daily at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center, and will maintain current production levels to ensure continuous stockpiling in its warehouses. The DSWD distributes two types of relief packs. The first is the family food pack, which contains six kilograms of rice, 10 canned goods, and five sachets each of instant coffee and chocolate drinks, providing enough sustenance for a family of five for two to three days. Meanwhile, the ready-to-eat food box contains champorado, arroz caldo, tuna paella, and protein biscuits, which can feed a family of five for one day. Source: GMA News Philippines