FOOD PACK. A family food pack (FFPs) contains 6 kg. of rice, 10 canned goods, 5 sachets of coffee, and 5 sachets of cereal drink, enough to sustain a family of five for two days. More than PHP2 million worth of FFPs were distributed to families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in 14 municipalities in Masbate province, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol said Wednesday (June 26, 2024). (PNA file photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) has provided more than PHP2 million worth of family food packs (FFPs) to families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Masbate province.
In an interview on Wednesday, Carl James Cabarles, DSWD-5 disaster risk reduction and management division information officer, said the provincial government of Masbate requested the FFPs for 14 local government units (LGUs) affected by the drought.
The 14 LGUs were Dimasalang, Cataingan, Placer, Pio V. Corpus, Uson, Monreal, San Fernando, San Jacinto, Batuan, Balud, Baleno, Mobo, Masbate City, and Milagros.
"We also have ongoing releases for other local government units who requested augmentation. Some FFPs will be picked up in our regional warehouses. We are also actively coordinating with LGUs and other regional government agencies to facilitate augmentation support more efficiently," Cabarles said.
Since April, DSWD-5 has provided 56,060 food packs, worth PHP40 million, to affected families.
A family food pack contains 6 kg. of rice, 10 canned goods, 5 sachets of coffee, and 5 sachets of cereal drink, enough to sustain a family of five for two days.
Meanwhile, Cabarles said a total of 172,924 standby food packs worth PHP127 million, and non-food items worth PHP84 million were prepositioned in different regional warehouses and LGU sites.
A PHP5 million standby fund is also ready for disbursement should there be a need to buy additional food packs and non-food kits.
"Once we need more, our central office is ready to replenish our food packs and non-food items. We want to make sure that our regional office is always ready to provide food assistance in times of need," he said. (PNA)
