Manila: In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that all Filipinos affected by disasters will never get hungry, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to strengthen its relief supply chains and logistic capabilities through the "Buong Bansa Handa" (BBH) Program.
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group emphasized the urgency of this initiative during the National Press Club's Meet the Press forum in Intramuros, Manila. Dumlao highlighted the Philippines' vulnerability to disasters, as reflected in its ranking as number one in the World's Risk Index. The BBH program aims to counteract the exacerbated threats posed by climate change by enhancing the agency's disaster response efforts.
The BBH program employs two parallel supply chain mechanisms to bolster disaster preparedness and response. The first mechanism is a government-driven supply chain that seeks to enhance the production capacities and processes of the agency's National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City, the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Cebu, and various warehouse and storage facilities across all DSWD Field Offices.
The second mechanism involves partnerships with established large and small groceries, supermarkets, manufacturers, and distributors. This private sector-driven supply chain leverages their technical expertise and resources to ensure efficient disaster response.
Last year, the BBH program proved vital during the onslaught of six successive typhoons. Dumlao noted that the program facilitated the swift delivery of necessary assistance to affected communities. The DSWD was able to promptly respond to requests from local governments for additional aid.
Currently, the DSWD maintains over three million boxes of family food packs nationwide, ready for immediate distribution to local government units affected by disasters or emergencies. Additionally, the DSWD has introduced the prepositioning of ready-to-eat-food (RTEF) boxes in port areas before disasters occur. This initiative follows an agreement with the Philippine Ports Authority to make RTEF packs available in seaports nationwide, ensuring efficient relief responses when passengers are stranded due to sea transport disruptions.
An RTEF box includes various food items such as tuna paella, chicken pastil, and protein biscuits, designed to feed a family of five for a day. The DSWD has produced 120,000 RTEF boxes for prepositioning in seaports and other agency facilities nationwide for distribution during disasters.
