The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has a total of 3,000,658 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned across the agency’s warehouses nationwide, the biggest stockpile so far in the agency’s history.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group said the enhanced relief preparation and prepositioning efforts are part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s thrust toward a more “omnipresent” government response to disasters and calamities.

“This big number will go a long way in ensuring that our relief resources can sustain our disaster response efforts,” Dumlao said in news release on Monday.

Of the total, she said 2,207,124 have already been delivered and prepositioned at various hubs, spokes and last-mile facilities across the country.

Over 790,000 FFPs, on the other hand, are ready to be dispatched from the National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City and the Visayas Disaster Response Center in Cebu, where production of relief items is conducted daily.

The DSWD spokesperson said the record number of FFPs also reflects the agency’s untiring dedication to bolster year-round preparation for disasters and calamities.

“When Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined the Department in 2023, in less than five months, he really worked hard so we can launch the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) initiative and transform how we manage our disaster response effort,” she said.

Under the BBH, the agency has strategically prepositioned and ensured the availability of goods even before disaster strikes.

It employs two parallel supply chain mechanisms to optimize disaster preparedness and response.

The first supply chain features a national and local government-driven supply chain. The second forges partnerships with established large and small groceries, supermarkets, manufacturers, and distributors to leverage on their technical expertise and resources to create a private sector-driven supply chain.

Dumlao thanked the people who continue to help fast-track the agency’s prepositioning efforts.

“We also want to honor our ever-hardworking and tireless employees — our Angels in Red Vests — as well as our volunteers who flock to our production centers to help with our daily operations. Your compassion and commitment reflect the true spirit of modern bayanihan, bringing hope and relief to our kababayan (compatriots) in need,” she said. (PNA)