Volunteers help DSWD produce 344K food packs for typhoon victims

MANILA – More than 9,000 volunteers who heeded the call of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have so far produced 344,316 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) as replenishment to the FFPs distributed to families affected by Typhoon Carina and enhanced southwest monsoon or "habagat."

"We would like to thank the volunteers who have responded to our call. We would not have achieved this big production without your help," DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said on Tuesday.

Dumlao, also assistant secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), said since July 23, volunteers continue to go to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC), the DSWD's main disaster response hub located along Chapel Road in Pasay City to help in the bundling of food supplies, forming boxes, and packing.

Brian Badion, one of the volunteers from the members of Church of God International (MCGI), said: "Nag-volunteer po ako dito para makatulong din sa ating mga kababayang nasalanta ng kalamidad (I volunteered here because I want to help our affected countrymen)."

Dumlao said volunteers are still welcome to help.

Those interested to volunteer may contact Ms. Shara Lee at mobile number 09260612646 and email address, [email protected] for scheduling.

As of Aug. 12, a total of 1,217,148 boxes of FFPs comprise the current inventory of the agency's different warehouses and storage facilities nationwide ready to be distributed to local government units (LGUs) that will be affected by disasters.

Meanwhile, Kaliwa Dam Project's contractor Energy China has also responded to a request from the Metro Manila Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) to help the typhoon victims.

The Energy China employees have distributed food, rice, and drinking water to the 250 affected families in Daraitan, a village in Tanay, Rizal near the Kaliwa Dam Project.

"They (employees) have transported rice flour, canned food, and other materials to the affected villages, bringing support and warmth to the affected people," Energy China said in a news release on Tuesday. (PNA)