DSWD chief directs preparedness for Kanlaon response operations

Amid unrest of Kanlaon volcano, the regional director of DSWD Field Office VI has issued a directive to ensure enough goods prepositioned for Negros Occidental to ensure availability of food should there be a need for augmentation.

“We have to be prepared. With the continuous unrest of Mt. Kanlaon, it is important that we have sufficient stockpile in the area,” said Regional Director Arwin O. Razo.

The regional director also directed to have an inventory of assets in Negros Occidental, including the Quick Response Team (QRT), vehicle, and food and non-food items.

“The most important thing is we have to ensure enough stockpile. It is always better to be prepared. Over-preparedness is better than under-preparedness,” said Director Razo.

In response, Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) chief Erlyn Garcia assured that the office has enough stockpile in Negros Occidental.

Data from DRMD shows that the agency has a total of 27,631 Family Food Packs (FFPs) prepositioned in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental. If broken down, this consists of 15,626 packs at the Bacolod warehouse and 12,005 packs prepositioned in different Local Government Units with Relief Preposition Agreement with the agency.

Director Razo has also directed the DRMD to coordinate with the agency central office for immediate replenishment of family food packs used during typhoon Kristine response operations to ensure that Western Visayas has a 100,000-stock pile at any given time as a preparedness measure for any eventuality that may arise./dswd6

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