DSWD to send food aid to Metro Manila areas under 'lockdown'

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the continuous provision of assistance to families and individuals affected by the stricter quarantine measures in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
As part of its mandate to augment resources, the DSWD continues to provide family food packs to local government units (LGUs) under Alert Level 3 amid the spike in coronavirus infections in some areas, particularly in Metro Manila.
Moreover, it assured the affected residents that the DSWD has enough budget and resources for its pandemic response operations.
As of January 10, the DSWD has P895.7-million worth of stockpiles and standby funds.
"Of this figure, more than P102 million is the standby funds of the central office and field offices while over P37.18 million is the available quick response fund," the DSWD said in a statement on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Likewise, the DSWD has more than 299,000 family food packs positioned in advance in strategic locations for distribution to the affected population.
It also continues to conduct repacking activities to readily provide augmentation if needed.
The DSWD vowed to closely coordinate with the LGUs in the affected areas for the efficient and effective provision of assistance.
Metro Manila has been placed under Alert Level 3 on Jan. 3, due to the surge in coronavirus diseases cases in the region.
Alert Level 3 was also declared in Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal on Jan. 5 and in Laguna on Jan. 7.