17,000 DSWD Food Packs to Be Flown Free by Cebu Pacific to Boracay

In support to the ongoing disaster response operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Boracay Island, Cebu Pacific Airlines has committed to airlift 17,000 family food packs via free-of-charge cargo to IloIlo City for distribution to the families affected by the island’s closure to tourists.

The airline responded to the Department’s request for assistance to expedite the delivery of food packs from Manila to Boracay.

Cebu Pacific started airlifting the DSWD relief goods on July 27. It has already transported around 10,500 food packs as of press time. The airline targets to finish transporting the 17,000 food packs by August 7.

DSWD has been continuously distributing family food packs to the affected families in Boracay since April of this year as its augmentation support to the affected local government units, and has pledged to provide relief assistance until the lifting of the Boracay closure.

DSWD Secretary Virginia N. Orogo said, “Since our major warehouse is here in Manila, the Department tries to find the best and fastest means to provide the needs of our DSWD Region VI in their disaster response operations. The response of Cebu Pacific Airlines to our request for help has greatly contributed to our objective of achieving ease of providing service to the affected residents and workers,” Sec. Orogo said.

DSWD acknowledged that the cost of air transport is costly, and recognizes the contribution of Cebu Pacific to the overall disaster operations of the Department.

“We hope more corporations will respond to the call of public service, share their resources, and utilize their corporate social responsibility in supporting social welfare and development programs and services,” Sec. Orogo ended. (DSWD)