DSWD sending more food packs to Naga

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development is preparing to send 5,000 more family food packs (FFPs) to Naga City, one of the areas hardest hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said yesterday.

These FFPs will be on top of the 30,000 FFPs earlier sent to Naga City.

Gatchalian said he is just awaiting the official list of severely-affected families from the local government unit of Naga City, and will soon start the distribution of cash assistance.

DSWD has already provided over 30,000 FFPs for Albay and is currently processing the request for 50,000 FFPs for Camarines Sur.

Despite the growing number of affected families across the Bicol region, Gatchalian assured them that enough relief supplies can be pulled out from nearby warehouses and from the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Cebu.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives mobilized at least P411 million in aid for 22 districts devastated by Kristine in the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas and MIMAROPA.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez also requested the immediate release of P390 million in cash which will be distributed to the districts.

In addition, Romualdez and the Tingog Party-list also prepared 62,500 relief packs worth over P21 million for affected families.

“The directive of the President is clear – no Filipino families should be left behind in the assistance being extended by the government for the victims of typhoon Kristine,” he said.

Angat Buhay, the non-government organization founded by former vice president Leni Robredo, has raised over P21.7 million as of yesterday for relief efforts in affected communities in Naga City and other areas in Bicol.

Robredo added that starting today, Angat Buhay will shift efforts to help other areas affected by Kristine.

“Naga is still isolated from the rest of the country. Until now, a number of our barangays are still submerged in water. But, hopefully, we will be able to transition from relief to rehabilitation after this weekend,” she said.

“Most grateful to our generous sponsors for their trust,” she added.

Robredo, who is running for Naga mayor next year, immediately mobilized relief efforts following widespread flooding in Bicol and personally led efforts to deliver supplies to affected communities.

Angat Buhay deployed several trucks carrying lifeboats and relief supplies to Naga City in the aftermath of the storm.

Members of the organization’s volunteer network launched relief efforts for other parts of the country that were also affected by widespread flooding. — Janvic Mateo