Manila: A Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) official stated that the agency has stringent proactive measures in place for its disaster preparedness and response operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, Director Maria Isabel Lanada of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Bureau emphasized that the agency, under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian, ensures a proactive approach to disaster response. Secretary Gatchalian, a former mayor, is familiar with the challenges local governments face during disasters, particularly when local disaster risk reduction and management funds are insufficient.

Lanada highlighted that the department maintains 938 warehouses nationwide, which store between 3 million to 3.2 million stockpiles at any time. "That is what we are filling, the warehouses all over the country, and these family food packs (FFPs) of ours, we are ensuring, are oriented to our local government units (LGUs), and we have our relief prepositioning agreements (RPA)," she explained.

To prevent the misuse of prepositioned goods for political activities, the RPAs with LGUs include clauses that restrict the withdrawal or distribution of stockpiles without DSWD's explicit consent. Lanada urged citizens to report any tampering or repacking of FFPs to the DSWD.

"If you notice anyone repackaging, selling, or using these for political activities, report it to us at the DSWD and there will be legal action under Republic Act (RA) 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act," Lanada added.

The prohibited acts under RA 10121 include the diversion or misdelivery of relief goods to unauthorized recipients and the misuse of aid commodities not intended for a particular individual or group.