DSWD-7 Releases Relief Goods, Continues Repacking of Family Food Packs

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Field Office VII extends relief assistance and repacks family food packs to be distributed to families affected by TS Ursula affected areas.

A total of 2,800 family food packs amounting to more than a million are delivered today by BRP Suluan MRRV 4406 of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to be delivered to Daanbantayan, Cebu for the affected residents in the area. The PCG vessel left pier 1, Cebu City at 4:00 AM today.

The provincial government of Cebu requested for the food packs which will be given, according to Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to the residents of the island barangays of Daanbantayan – 2,100 for Brgy. Malapascua and 700 for Brgy.Carnaza.

The staff of the DSWD-7 regional warehouse in Labangon, Cebu City also continue the repacking of the family food packs with the help of the volunteers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure there is enough resource augmentation.

Meanwhile, the Visayas Disaster Response Center (VDRC) of DSWD located in Mandaue City also continues to repack family food packs with the support from Philippine Coast Guard and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) staff.

As of today the field office has a total of 12, 512 stockpile of family food packs in Negros Oriental, Bohol, Cebu and VDRC ready for distribution.

Before the storm’s occurrence on December 24, 2019, the DSWD-7 already activated its Regional Quick Response Team (QRT) for the disaster response operations for those affected by TS Ursula. To ensure quick response to emergency cases and other disaster related activities, the team rendered a 24/7 service.

On December 24, 2019, a total of 966 non-food items (mats, blankets, and towels) were distributed to 483 families/passengers in piers 1, 2, and 3 of Cebu City due to the onslaught of typhoon Ursula.

A total of 14 LGUs have conducted pre-emptive evacuations on Christmas eve to at least 57 barangays in Cebu and Bohol. There were 10,104 families who evacuated to 32 evacuation camps opened but have already returned home in the morning of December 25 due to an improved weather condition.

Continuous monitoring and coordination is being done by the DSWD through its Disaster Response and Management Divison (DRMD) for any resource augmentation from the affected LGUs. At the moment, the towns of Daanbantayan, Madridejos, and Bogo City, Cebu have already communicated to the Regional Office requesting for assistance in their disaster relief operations.