DSWD gears up for Holy Week with 4.5M emergency food packs

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has placed all field offices on alert to ensure a rapid response to emergencies during the Holy Week observance.

More than 4.5 million family food packs have been prepositioned nationwide, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Dumlao said.

The supplies can be deployed immediately to support regional field offices as needed.

"Hangad ng DSWD ang ligtas na paglalakbay ng ating mga kababayang uuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsya para makapiling ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay ngayong Semana Santa. Makaaasa ang publiko na nakahanda ang Departamento na magbigay ng agarang tulong kung kinakailangan," Dumalo said.

(The DSWD wishes our fellow Filipinos safe travels as they return to their home provinces to be with their loved ones this Holy Week. The public can be assured that the Department is ready to provide immediate assistance when needed.)

"Sa direktiba ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian at sa utos ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., may sapat na nakahandang food at non-food items ang DSWD kung may hindi inaasahang kalamidad o emergency situation ngayong Semana Santa. Naka-alerto ang lahat ng aming mga Field Offices kung kinakailangan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan ng tulong," she added.

(Under the directive of Secretary Rex Gatchalian and upon the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DSWD has sufficient food and non-food items prepared in case of any unforeseen disaster or emergency during Holy Week. All our field offices are on alert should local government units require assistance.)

Dumlao also said that more than P735 million in standby funds can also be tapped to support any emergency or disaster response operation.

The DSWD's Quick Response Teams (QRT) and emergency equipment are also ready to be deployed when needed, she added.

Dumlao assured local government units that disaster response teams in all field offices will keep communication lines open during the week-long observance. —LDF, GMA News