BAGUIO CITY: The delivery of more than 7,000 relief items to the province of Apayao has started to ensure adequate supply for the typhoon-battered province, which has declared a state of calamity. A total of 6,100 family food packs (FFPs), 300 hygiene kits, 200 sleeping kits, 200 modular tents, 100 family kits, 20 family tents, and 200 rolls of laminated sacks are being transported from the regional warehouse in Benguet to support the immediate relief efforts for affected communities, DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region director Maria Aplaten said. According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD's National Resource Operations Center (NROC) has also allocated 10,000 FFPs, with 5,100 already in Apayao, she said. "We are replenishing the supplies at the DSWD-Apayao satellite warehouse with essential food and non-food items," she added. Aplaten noted that transportation, unloading, and distribution of the supplies were facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the police, military, the Office of Civil De fense, Department of Public Works and Highways, municipal action teams, and local government units (LGUs). "This united action demonstrates the unwavering commitment to protect lives and restore hope in times of disaster," Aplaten remarked. The Provincial Board of Apayao had earlier passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the entire province on November 9, following a request from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC). This declaration is pivotal for the mobilization of immediate assistance and allocation of resources to aid calamity-affected communities. Based on the PDRRMC's report, at least 13,964 families comprising 49,398 individuals were adversely affected by Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing), particularly from November 7 to 8. The typhoon caused damage to agricultural crops, livestock, and poultry amounting to approximately PHP19.69 million, while damage to lifeline utilities such as roads and bridges was estimated at PHP65.9 million. Educational, he alth, and social welfare facilities incurred damages of about PHP11 million, with 66 houses completely destroyed and 4,769 partially damaged. "As instructed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we will not just assure availability of supplies but also immediate delivery of assistance," Aplaten emphasized. She mentioned that there is continuous distribution of aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). "With the series of parading typhoons experienced in the Cordillera, the assistance is continuing. There were those affected by the first typhoons and again affected. We cannot just set aside their situation because they are in need of our help and we will extend that most needed assistance," she added.