By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Over 890,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) worth more than P374 million have been distributed as augmentation support to the local government units nationwide during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday, May 20.
The DSWD-Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center reported that as of 6 a.m., May 20, a total of 890, 355 FFPs worth P374.86 million have been distributed nationwide as relief assistance to the areas affected by the continued imposition of the ECQ.
In the National Capital Region, which has been placed under modified ECQ, a total of 210, 923 FFPs have been extended to affected families.
Region IV-A (Calabarzon) got the second highest number of FFPs, receiving 97, 570. It was followed by Region VII (Central Visayas), 93,045; Region XI (Davao), 86, 042; Region V (Bicol), 81,055; Region V (Bicol), 81, 055; Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 77, 946; Region I (Ilocos), 45, 500; Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), 45, 220; Region III (Central Luzon), 39, 280; Region II (Cagayan Valley), 32,675; Region VI (Western Visayas), 25,395; Region XII (Soccksargen), 14, 426; Region IV-B (Mimaropa), 13,719; Caraga, 11,300; Region X (Northern Mindanao), 8, 646; and VIII (Eastern Visayas), 7, 613.
The DSWD said the provision of additional relief items is part of the DSWD's mandate to provide Technical Assistance and Resource Augmentation (TARA) to LGUs during times of emergency.
Based on the DROMIC report, the total cost of relief assistance increased to P12.30 billion, P374.86 million of which has been extended by the DSWD.
While, the LGUs and non-government organizations provided P11.50 billion and P384.37 million in relief aid, respectively.
A total of P29.27 million has been donated by other sources, making the total cost of assistance to P12.30 billion, according to DROMIC.
Based on the report, the DSWD has standby funds amounting to 458.39 million. These include P416.70 million Quick Response Fund of the Central Office, and P41.69 million funds available at the Field Offices.
The DROMIC report noted that the DSWD has stockpiles worth about P900.48 million. These include P479.92 million worth of non-food items and P274.87 million worth of other food items.
A total of 342, 390 FFPs worth P145.69 million are available for distribution.
The DSWD earlier requested additional P662 million budget from the Department of Budget and Management to replenish its depleting QRF to assist the areas hit by tropical storm "Ambo" as well to augment relief support to areas which remain lockdown.
The QRF is a standby fund used to cover relief and rehabilitation in cases of disasters and calamities, it said.