Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed a total of 2,612,529 family food packs (FFPs) to families affected by the recent combined effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong. Of the total, nearly 800,000 FFPs were allocated to Central Luzon.

According to Philippines News Agency, the latest report from the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) indicates that 4,447 families or 16,943 individuals are still residing in 121 evacuation centers across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Negros Island Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated, "Patuloy ang pagbibigay ng DSWD ng pagkain at iba pang tulong para masigurong may sapat na suporta ang ating mga kababayan na naapektuhan ng mga bagyo." She emphasized the ongoing efforts to provide food and other assistance to those affected by the calamities.

The DSWD spokesperson detailed that each FFP contains six kilograms of rice, 10 easy-open canned goods, five coffee sachets, and five sachets of cereal drink, offering immediate relief to families impacted by heavy rains, floods, and strong winds. These food packs are part of the more than PHP1.7 billion worth of assistance already provided by the DSWD, which also includes non-food items and other relief supplies.

Dumlao affirmed the department's commitment to ensuring that affected families, particularly those in evacuation centers, have access to food and essential items. She noted the department's collaboration with field offices and local government units to address the needs of those impacted. Dumlao also assured the public that all agency-managed warehouses are stocked and prepared for the continuous distribution of FFPs and other relief goods in anticipation of future disasters.