There are currently 1.3 million stockpiles of family food packs (FFPs) alloted for those who are still recovering from the effects of the previous storms, and those who may be affected by Super Typhoon Pepito, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Saturday, November 16.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. about the disaster response efforts laid out for Typhoons Pepito, Ofel, and Nika.
“We maintain a 1.3 million stockpile of FFPs nationwide. We’re not dropping that. Then we’re now utilizing two supply lines. Simultaneously, we’re producing from Central Luzon, Pasay City, and Cebu,” Gatchalian said during the situation briefing last November 15.
“We’re already getting our suppliers delivered to us prepacked. So dalawa na. While we’re producing, we’re also receiving prepacked levels,” he added.
The agency is working to enhance its efforts while procuring prepacked food packs to expedite preparations for the typhoon. Gatchalian mentioned that the system was fully activated at the DSWD Central Luzon hub in Pampanga. It was done to quicken the efforts to provide support to typhoon-hit families in Northern Luzon.
“After the impact of Kristine, we produced supplies from our National Resource Operations Center in Pasay, then we opened another center in Central Luzon and the Visayas Disaster Response Center, which assisted in supplying the Bicol Region,” Gatchalian said.
To avoid straining the supply chain, the Gatchalian said that they are planning to increase the daily production of FFPs between 50,000 and 85,000 boxes per day. He assured that the target amount won't drop to 50,000, as they expect Pepito to be very severe.
Additionally, he also assured the President of their target to produce one million FFPs by December 7.
On Thursday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of PHP 875 million for the DSWD's request to replenish their Quick Response Funds (QRF).
