Food packs for stranded passengers eyed in new DSWD, PPA deal

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Ports Authority signed an agreement aiming to provide ready-to-eat food packs to passengers who will be stranded in major and critical ports in the country during times of calamities. 

“Ito ay upang matiyak na yung mga kababayan natin na hindi po makapaglayag ay mabibigyan ng immediate relief assistance. Itong mga ready-to-eat food packs natin ay ipe-preposition sa mga major and critical ports nang sa gayon yung mga pangangailangan sa pagkain ay matutugunan natin kapag may mga bagyo o disasters,” said DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. 

(This is to ensure that those who are unable to sail will be given immediate relief assistance. These ready-to-eat food packs will be prepositioned at major and critical ports so that we can instantly provide food in the event of typhoons or disasters.) 

The DSWD official said the food packs will be provided to stranded passengers in at least 25 ports nationwide, including the North Harbor in Manila. 

“Ang istratehiya na ito ay isinagawa natin ay dahil kung matatandaan, last year sunod-sunod ang mga bagyo na naka-apekto sa ating bansa,” said Dumlao. 

(We implemented this strategy because, if you recall, last year, our country was hit by a series of typhoons.)

Among the contents of the food pack are champorado, arroz caldo, tuna paella, chicken pastil, ground chicken, protein-rich biscuits, and complementary food for toddlers and breastfeeding moms.  

“Hindi na kinakailangan na ipainit, hindi kinakailangan ng mainit na tubig. Pupunitin mo lang yung packs or i-open mo lang tin cans, you can consume it already,” said Dumlao, adding that utensils are also included in the pack. 

(No need to heat it or use hot water. Just tear the packs or open the tin cans, and you can consume it already.) 

The ready-to-eat foods in the pack were developed by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute, the DSWD added. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VAL, GMA Integrated News