WITH the onset of the rainy season and the heightened risk of storms and flooding, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned three million family food packs (FFPs) in 938 strategically located warehouses across the country.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the move is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the safety and welfare of Filipinos, particularly those living in disaster-prone areas.
“The President directed us to ensure the safety and peace of mind of Filipinos who are often affected by typhoons and other calamities. In response, the DSWD has fully activated its ‘Buong Bansa Handa’ (BBH) program, which is why we’ve stockpiled three million food packs for rapid and efficient disaster response,” Gatchalian said in a statement Friday.
The BBH initiative employs a whole-of-nation and whole-of-government approach that pools resources from both public and private sectors. The program aims to streamline and strengthen the government’s capacity to deliver timely aid and support to affected communities during natural disasters.
The DSWD’s preparation comes as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) monitors a low-pressure area (LPA) east of Eastern Visayas, which is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
While the LPA is unlikely to develop into a tropical cyclone, PAGASA warned that the intensified “habagat” could bring moderate to heavy rains across parts of Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, Soccsksargen, and the Visayas — potentially triggering floods or landslides.
The DSWD reiterated its appeal to the public to remain alert and follow advisories from local government units and disaster officials.
