The spirit of bayanihan lives on, as hundreds of volunteers head to the National Resource Operation Center (NROC) to help produce family food packs (FFPs) for families and individuals affected by Typhoon Carina and Habagat (southwest monsoon).
Located in Pasay City, the NROC is the main disaster response hub of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It is managed by the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), which reported that 865 volunteers have reported at the center since Monday, July 22, 2024.
Over 800 Volunteers Help at NROC
During a media briefing last Thursday, July 25, Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Maria Isabel Lanada stated that the call for volunteers was for DSWD hubs and spokespersons, “para po i-replenish na ang 100 percent maximum capacity ng ating mga warehouses around the country (to replenish the 100 percent maximum capacity of our warehouses around the country),” a DSWD press release reported.
DSWD Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for the DRMG Irene Dumlao thanked the volunteers for their help in the disaster preparedness and response efforts. “With their help, we are able to maintain the 100 percent maximum capacity of family food packs of our warehouses, ensuring that we have enough relief supplies for our disaster-affected kababayans,” she said on Friday, July 26.
“To date, our volunteers have already helped produce 59,151 FFPs,” she added. “These FFPs will replenish those that were distributed to the families and individuals displaced by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon.”
Meanwhile, one of the volunteers, Arlene Queva, shared that she was happy to help. “Happy po ako na nag vo-volunteer dito dahil masaya po dito (I am delighted to volunteer because its happy here),” she shared.
“Kasama ang ibang mga nanay at ang purpose namin is to help other people, na iyung gawaing pambayan po, yung gawain natin na makatulong sa ating bayan lalo na po sa ganitong disasters na nagaganap po ngayon (Together with other mothers, our purpose is to help other people, to do community work; our aim is to help the community especially during disasters like what is happening now),” she explained.
“Ito po yung ating adhikain na magkaroon po tayo ng volunteerism dito sa DSWD para po tayo ay tumulong at paigtingin po ang ating ahensya for emergency purpose (Our aim is to have volunteerism here at the DSWD so that we can help and strengthen our agency for emergency purposes,” Arlene added.
Other than individual volunteers, group volunteers from agencies like the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) came to help out at the NROC.
Likewise, private organizations such as the Family Peace Association, Members Church of God International, and Pusong Riders Group also came to the center.
According to Asst. Sec. Dumlao, those who would like to volunteer at the NROC must be above 18 years old. They should be healthy and willing to do work such as forming boxes, bundling of food supplies, and packing. They should also be willing to undergo a short orientation on how to conduct themselves at the center.
Call for More Volunteers
Based on a Facebook post by the NLRMB on Saturday, July 27, there is a need for more volunteers at the NROC.
“Help us repack Family Food Packs for the affected families of #CarinaPH,” the post stated. “Our repacking center is located at DSWD-National Resource Operations Center, Chapel Road, Brgy. 195, Pasay City.”
Individual volunteers must register by following these steps:
- Register using this Google Form.
- Select a schedule (Monday to Sunday, 8am – 5pm or 5pm – 12mn).
- Arrive on your selected schedule.
- Follow the reminders (i.e. wear comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and bring a water bottle container).
Meanwhile, group volunteers should inquire first by contacting Ms. Shara Lee at msllee@dswd.gov.ph or 09260612646.
Final Thoughts
The bayanihan spirit truly lives on among the groups and individuals helping out at the NROC. By making sure that relief goods are always packed and ready to go, they are a huge help in the country’s disaster management and response efforts.
As for the DSWD Family Food Packs (FFPs) — have you ever wondered what’s inside them? Check out this article to learn more about the contents of these packs, along with the Non-Food Items (NFIs) given to disaster-affected families.