As Typhoon Tino entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that it had prepositioned over 2.1 million family food packs (FFPs) in key areas across the country under its Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) program.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who heads the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), said preparations began as early as last week.
‘Since last week, we have been monitoring this weather phenomenon and are regularly coordinating with PAGASA to understand the forecast track of Typhoon Tino,’ said Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson.
Currently, more than 128,000 family food packs are ready for distribution in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), about 89,000 in Region 6 (Western Visayas), and over 81,000 in the Caraga Region.
The BBH program ensures that food and non-food relief items are ready and strategically stored in regional, provincial, and municipal warehouses-especially in areas expected to be affected by the storm.
She also assured the public that the DSWD has an efficient replenishment mechanism, particularly in the Visayas region. The Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, Cebu, produces between 18,000 and 20,000 food packs daily.
As of Monday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 has been raised in several areas, prompting residents in coastal and low-lying communities to evacuate to safer locations. PAGASA warned of storm surges exceeding three meters in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) has also been placed under Red Alert status to strengthen coordination and monitoring among government agencies.
Dumlao reminded the public to remain vigilant and follow official advisories for their safety.
‘We continue to urge everyone to listen to government officials and follow evacuation and safety instructions to avoid harm,’ she said.
Despite multiple emergencies nationwide, Dumlao emphasized that the DSWD remains committed to assisting affected families, including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).
Nutritional needs
The DSWD also assured the public that the Family Food Packs (FFPs) and Ready-to-Eat Food (RTEF) boxes meet the nutritional standards for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by disasters.
‘These food packs meet the nutritional requirements of our IDPs,’ Dumlao said, explaining that their contents were developed in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and comply with standards set by the National Nutrition Council (NNC).
Each FFP contains 6 kilograms of rice, 10 assorted canned goods (four tuna flakes in oil, four corned beef, and two sardines), five sachets of instant coffee, and five sachets of chocolate malt drink. Each pack is designed to feed a family of five for two to three days.
Meanwhile, the DSWD also distributes Ready-to-Eat Food (RTEF) boxes-Halal-certified meals intended for evacuees and stranded passengers. An RTEF box includes five cans of tuna paella, one can of chicken pastil, one can of giniling, two packs of arroz caldo, three packs of champorado, two protein biscuits, and one infant food item.
‘There are no noodles included,’ Dumlao clarified.
To complement these food packs, the DSWD deploys mobile kitchens to serve hot meals to residents in disaster-stricken areas.
‘These hot meals are freshly prepared and served through our mobile kitchens to support the food boxes we provide,’ she said.
Red Cross mobilizes Cebu chapters, volunteers as storm Tino approaches
In line with the directive of PRC Chairman Richard J. Gordon, the Philippine Red Cross has placed all its Cebu Chapters on full alert as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (Kalmaegi) continues to move westward and is expected to affect parts of the Visayas region in the coming days.
PRC said that all chapters in potentially affected areas have been instructed to undertake precautionary measures, mobilize their 143 volunteers, and ensure that all emergency response assets are on standby for immediate deployment.
Over the weekend, the PRC Lapu-Lapu/Cordova Chapter convened to discuss the chapter’s preparedness and deployment strategy, wherein rescue boats and other lifesaving equipment have been readied in anticipation of possible flooding and sea-related emergencies.
In Northern Cebu, despite the recent magnitude 6.9 earthquake that affected the province, PRC personnel and volunteers have intensified their readiness efforts to support forthcoming response operations related to STS Tino.
Meanwhile, the PRC Cebu Chapter in Central Cebu remains on standby, ensuring that all vehicles, rescue equipment, and emergency supplies are fully operational and ready for mobilization should the need arise.
The PRC continue to work closely with LGUs, partners, and its volunteers to ensure that timely assistance are extended to affected and at-risk communities.
For emergencies and urgent assistance, the PRC advise the public to dial 143.