The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has positioned PHP145.32 million worth of family food packs and non-food items across Eastern Visayas to ensure rapid relief as Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) approaches.
DSWD 8 Information Officer Jonalyndie Chua said on Thursday, September 25, the agency prepositioned 175,895 family food packs and 23,175 non-food items in warehouses strategically located in Allen and Biri (Northern Samar); Jipapad, Taft, and Guiuan (Eastern Samar); Palo (Leyte); Sogod (Southern Leyte); Almagro and Santo Niño (Samar); and Naval, Maripipi, and Kawayan (Biliran) to reach affected communities quickly.
Each family food pack contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of cereal drinks, she said.
Chua emphasized that the high-value stockpiles allow the agency to distribute aid efficiently and provide essential relief without delay. Ready-to-eat food packs at the Regional Resource Operations Center in Palo, Leyte, further ensure immediate assistance for disaster-hit communities.
Authorities have issued flood advisories since Wednesday as the storm brings heavy rains and strong winds, making the prepositioned supplies crucial for families in affected areas.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.