Bacolod: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has PHP147.201 million in food and non-food items available as of Saturday, as stated in its progress reports on the moderate eruption of Kanlaon Volcano and the thunderstorms and southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Inday the past week.

According to Philippines News Agency, on Friday, DSWD delivered 120,000 family food packs (FFPs) to the regional warehouse at Bredco Port here to boost its disaster response capability for Negros Island Region (NIR). The food stocks are part of the agency's prepositioned relief resources ensuring immediate availability of food assistance for families affected by disasters and emergencies.

The initial batch of FFPs from the local Visayas Disaster Resource Center was delivered at a crucial time as NIR continues to monitor and respond to the ongoing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano and the impacts of Typhoon Inday. The warehouse inventory will support rapid deployment of relief supplies to local government units when necessary.

In response to the effects of Inday, certain areas in Negros Occidental, such as Isabela town and La Carlota City, evacuated hundreds of residents on Friday. Initial reports from the Isabela municipal government on Saturday morning indicated that 499 individuals or 171 families sought refuge in three evacuation centers. By Saturday afternoon, La Carlota City reported that 133 residents or 40 families had returned home, according to the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

To ensure a coordinated and timely disaster response, the DSWD-NIR stated its personnel maintains constant communication with city and municipal social welfare and development offices, local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and other concerned agencies.