The Department of Social Welfare and Development has prepositioned 3 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in 938 warehouses across the country as it braces for incoming storms with the onset of the rainy season.
Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier directed the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) to ensure that FFPs in regions that are prone to storms and flooding are constantly replenished for adequate, prompt and efficient disaster response operations.
“The President’s order to ensure the safety and security of Filipinos who are often affected by typhoons and other calamities. The DSWD is implementing the ‘Buong Bansa Handa’ program so we have a 3 million stockpile of FFPs for quick and efficient disaster response operations,” Gatchalian said.
The DSWD’s disaster preparedness under the “Buong Bansa Handa” or BBH seeks to ensure fail-safe mechanisms in the country’s supply chains during times of calamities.
According to the state weather bureau PAGASA, a low pressure area is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility within the next 24-48 hrs.
While there is a slim chance for tropical cyclone development, it is expected to enhance the South West monsoon as it moves towards the eastern coasts of the country.
“This will result in heavy rains over the Western sections of the Visayas and Luzon due to enhanced SW monsoon while the LPA will bring heavy rains over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region towards the weekend,” PAGASA said.
