The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the Mimaropa region has begun prepositioning food packs in various island municipalities as part of its preparation for the anticipated La Niña phenomenon.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum, DSWD Mimaropa Regional Director Leonardo Reynoso stated that food packs have been dispatched to the island municipalities of Corcuera, San Jose, Banton, and Concepcion. Additional supplies are also stored in DSWD warehouses located on Sibuyan and Tablas Islands.
Reynoso emphasized that their office has been proactive in distributing food packs to families affected by African swine fever and El Niño.
In a separate interview with PIA Romblon, Corcuera Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Mercy Familara reported that since June 1, they have received food packs intended for 1,860 farmers affected by El Niño.
“We are expecting another 9,000 food packs for our municipality to prepare for any disasters that might occur this year, especially strong typhoons,” according to Familara.
The island municipalities in Romblon often face food supply shortages during typhoons due to the lack of commercial boats bringing goods to the islands during bad weather. Familara said that this prepositioning of food packs by DSWD Mimaropa aims to mitigate such shortages and ensure that residents have access to essential supplies during emergencies.
“It's better to have this prepositioning because even if we lose transportation for two weeks due to bad weather, we can quickly deliver DSWD aid to families affected by calamities,” Familara said.
