Recently, Typhoons Kristine and Leon hit the country, and as of this writing Typhoon Marce is making its way to Northern Luzon. For several weeks now, many Filipinos have been affected by heavy rains, strong winds, storm surges, flooding, and landslides. To this day, many communities are still struggling to recover.
Fortunately, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with other national and local government agencies, have been quick to respond. As of November 5, 2024, the agency has distributed more than 1.1 million family food packs (FFPs) to typhoon-affected families in different parts of the country.
DSWD Distributes Over 1.1 Million FFPs Nationwide
This article features reports based on the DSWD Facebook page, focusing on the distribution of FFPs to families affected by Typhoons Kristine and Leon.
As the above table shows, a total of 1,153,141 FFPs have been distributed by the DSWD as of November 5, 2024 (6:00 pm). FFPs have been sent to all regions: Bicol, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, Eastern Visayas, NCR, Western Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN, Central Visayas, CARAGA, MIMAROPA, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, CAR, BARMM, and Davao Region.
The table shows that majority of FFPs were sent to Bicol (461,369), CALABARZON (149,250), and Central Luzon (145,620). These are the regions that have been greatly affected by the typhoons.
DSWD Distributes Family Food Packs in Quezon
On October 29, 2024, personnel from DSWD Field Office 4A – CALABARZON distributed FFPs to 858 families affected by Typhoon Kristine in Gumaca, Quezon.
Together with the local government unit (LGU) of Gumaca, DSWD provided FFPs to typhoon-affected families in Barangays Bamban, Buensuceso, Camohaguin, Hagaghakin, Panikihan, Peñafrancia, Pipisik, San Vicente, and Villapadua.
Field Office 5 Helps Typhoon-Affected Bicolanos
DSWD Field Office 5 – Bicol Region continues to provide assistance to families and communities affected by Typhoon Kristine.
On Saturday, November 2, 2024, the DSWD, in coordination with local and international partners, gave FFPs to 1,283 families in Garchitorena, Camarines Sur. Aid was extended to families in Barangays Tameiwon (257), Cagnipa (239), Canlog (226), Mansangat (192), Sagrada (190), and Cagamutan (180).
The following day, November 3, DSWD Field Office 5 delivered 1,798 FFPs to Barangays Banao, Gumabao, Obaliw-Rinas, Talongog, and Tobog in the municipality of Oas, Albay. Moreover, the agency continues to collaborate with LGUs in the region, to ensure that the needs of communities are addressed.
Family Food Packs Arrive in Cagayan
On November 2, 2024, some 2,000 FFPs arrived in Calayan, Cagayan as part of relief assistance for families affected by Super Typhoon Leon. Meanwhile, DSW Field Office 2 – Cagayan Valley continues to coordination with LGUs in the region to quickly address the needs of communities affected by the super typhoon.
PH, Brunei Air Forces Bring FFPs to Calaguas Island
Also on November 2, 2024, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) conducted a joint aerial relief operation, delivering aid to the people of Calaguas Island.
Using Black Hawk helicopters, both the PAF and RBAirF carried FFPs from the DSWD. These were given to residents of the island, which has been greatly affected by severe weather conditions.
The joint operation displays the strong relationship between the Philippines and Brunei, as both countries are committed to providing humanitarian assistance and attaining regional security. The mission was also done in coordination with DSWD Region 5, the Office of Civil Defense, and ground troops from the Philippine Army.
DSWD Family Food Packs Reach Batanes
Some 5,500 FFPs arrived in Batanes on Sunday, November 3, 2024. These were carried aboard BRP Gabriela Silang by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The FFPs were distributed to families affected by Super Typhoon Leon in six municipalities of the province.
The FFPs were brought to Batanes through the collective efforts of the DSWD, PCG, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Provincial Government of Batanes. Based on the latest reports, around 7,493 families were affected by the typhoon in the area. The DSWD continues to coordinate with local partners to ensure the quick delivery of assistance to affected residents.
Family Foods Packs Distributed in Bohol
Also on November 3, 2024, some 2,700 FFPs were loaded onto boats, which would carry them to nine barangays in the municipality of President Carlos P. Garcia in Bohol. These areas had been severely affected by Typhoon Kristine.
The nine barangays that received FFPs were as follows: Barangay Aguining (550), Barangay Poblacion (435), Barangay Tugnao (350), Barangay Bonbonon (320), Barangay San Jose (300), Barangay San Vicente (240), Barangay Saguise (200), Barangay Lipata (160), and Barangay Santo Rosario (145).
Continuous Production of FFPs
Of course, to help ensure that relief assistance is always available and ready for dispatch, the DSWD continues to prepare FFPs in different offices around the country.
On November 4, 2024, DSWD personnel repacked FFPs at the agency’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Manila. Volunteers from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also helped in repacking FFPs.
Likewise, on November 5, 2024, DSWD personnel and volunteers prepared FFPs at the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, Cebu. The above activities help towards making sure that there is a stockpile of FFPs for families affected by Typhoon Kristine, Super Typhoon Leon, and the coming Typhoon Marce.
Through the continuous production and repacking of FFPs in various DSWD centers, relief assistance can be provided easily not only during the aftermath of natural disasters — but also as preparation for upcoming calamities.
Final Thoughts
Whether we like it or not, the Philippines is prone to super typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions — due to our geographic location and of course, the global effects of climate change. Thanks to the DSWD, PCG, and other national and local agencies, affected families and communities are able to cope with these calamities.
Meanwhile, have you ever wondered what’s inside a DSWD Family Food Pack? Check out this article to know more about the FFP as well as Non-Food Items (NFIs) given by the DSWD!