DSWD distributes over 24K food packs in Eastern Visayas

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed over 24,000 family food packs (FFPs) to families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in Eastern Visayas provinces. DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Joshua Kempis said assessment is ongoing to determine which areas would be prioritized for food pack releases. 'We're giving necessary resources to areas declared under a state of calamity. This is in coordination with local governments since they are the first responders,' Kempis told reporters in a press briefing Thursday. In Eastern Samar, 3,939 FFPs have been received by flood-hit families in the towns of Arteche, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, and San Policarpo. In Samar province, beneficiaries of 16,307 FFPs are families from Calbayog City, Gandara, Matuguinao, Marabut, Daram, Gandara, Hinabangan, Matuguinao, Motiong, Pinabacdao, San Jorge, and Sta. Margarita, Talalora, Zumarraga, and Catbalogan City. Outside Samar, there were 200 FFPs d istributed in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, and 109 food packs in Naval, Biliran. Each FFP, costing PHP500, contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of corned beef, two cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of energy drink. The DSWD regional office now maintains over PHP3 million in standby funds and at least PHP119.69 million worth of FFPs and non-food items prepositioned in strategic locations. Kenny Unay, DSWD-Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) senior project development officer, said standby funds will be used to finance a cash for work program for hauling of relief goods and the rollout of mobile kitchens, providing ready-to-eat food in calamity-stricken areas. 'If needed, we can request more food packs from the Visayas disaster resource center and from our main office,' Unay added. Kristine has affected 528,103 people in 717 villages when it crossed Eastern Visayas this week. The most affected areas are in three Samar provinces. Source: Philippines News agen cy