DSWD Western Visayas sends aid to families affected by Kanlaon

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian assured the public on Monday (December 9) that the agency has sufficient supply of family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), and other nearby regions that may be affected by the volcanic activity of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island.

Gatchalian said the agency has more than 1.4 million boxes of FFPs prepositioned strategically in the different regions in the country.

Of this number, a total of 105,857 FFPs have been prepositioned in Western Visayas while 84,537 boxes of food packs are stockpiled in various warehouses in Central Visayas.

"We have directed our regional directors in Regions 6 and 7 to coordinate with the chief executives of concerned local government units (LGUs). Rest assured that the DSWD is ready to respond with the inflow of evacuees and all forms of assistance will reach them in the earliest time possible," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said other DSWD FOs are on full alert and ready for inter-FO augmentation as the need arises.

Apart from FFPs, the agency has also prepositioned non-food items such as kitchen kit, family kit, sleeping kit, hygiene kit, and laminated sacks, among other relief items.

"In Western Visayas, we have more than P57 million worth of non-food items and P217,604 worth of other food items. We also have P41 million worth of non-food items and P1.64 million worth of other food items in Central Visayas," the cabinet official said.

As of 4PM, the DSWD maintains a total of P2.23 billion in FFP stockpile and standby funds ready for augmentation support to LGUs that may be affected by the Kanlaon eruption.

The DSWD chief urged nearby communities, particularly those residing within the 6km radius from Mt. Kanlaon's summit to follow the emergency evacuation notices of their LGUs. (DSWD)