Manila: As part of the government's continuing disaster response efforts, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday said the agency is ready to provide cash assistance to eligible families affected by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon or 'habagat' and Severe Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha). In a radio interview, Gatchalian underscored the importance of providing additional support to meet the evolving needs of disaster-stricken families.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian emphasized that cash assistance is essential to families whose homes or livelihoods were damaged and who need help with rebuilding or purchasing items not covered by the DSWD's family food packs (FFPs). The DSWD chief explained that once local government units (LGUs) or provincial governments assess that families require interventions for rehabilitation or rebuilding, the DSWD steps in to provide cash assistance.

Gatchalian noted that several low-lying and flood-prone communities have been identified to receive cash aid under the agency's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). Alongside financial assistance, the DSWD continues to distribute FFPs to affected communities, with production ongoing at the National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Mandaue City, Cebu province.

As of Wednesday, over 200,000 FFPs have been distributed to affected families, reaching more than 34,000 families inside evacuation centers and those assisted by LGUs in house-to-house relief operations. The agency anticipates that the number of dispatched FFPs will exceed 300,000 as requests for relief augmentation are processed.

In addition to FFPs, the agency has delivered ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes, which are utilized in relief operations at port areas for stranded passengers and as initial aid to evacuees. In Central Luzon, the DSWD's Mobile Kitchen is enhancing LGU capacities to provide hot meals to families inside evacuation centers.

Gatchalian highlighted the agency's year-round preparedness, with the Buong Bansa Handa program prepositioning 3 million FFPs in nearly a thousand warehouses nationwide, ensuring rapid response to disasters.