Bicol: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has initiated the prepositioning of ready-to-eat food packs to enhance disaster preparedness and response in the region, often the first to be affected during typhoons. Claudio Villareal, chief of DSWD-5's Disaster Response Management Division, stated that the initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s call for innovative strategies to reduce the impact of disasters on all Filipinos.

According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 15,400 ready-to-eat food packs have been prepositioned in the warehouse of the Provincial Government of Sorsogon and the DSWD warehouse in Camarines Sur. The food packs will be strategically stored in seaports and warehouses across Bicol to ensure rapid deployment during disasters or when sea travel is suspended due to severe weather. Currently, 6,400 food packs are prepositioned at the PLGU Sorsogon Warehouse, while 9,000 are located at the DSWD warehouse in Camarines Sur.

Villareal mentioned that each ready-to-eat food pack contains nutritious meals sufficient for several days, designed to support internally displaced persons and stranded passengers. This measure ensures that no one goes hungry while sheltering in evacuation centers or waiting at transport terminals during emergencies.

The DSWD will manage the food packs, but under the Relief Prepositioning Agreements, local government units and the Philippine Ports Authority will also manage their respective stocks as stipulated in the agreements.