DSWD distributes 830K food packs, prepares P450 million cash aid for disaster-hit families
People wade through knee- to waist-deep floodwaters along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City on July 21, 2025 amid heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon (Habagat). (Santi San Juan/Manila Bulletin)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed nearly 830,000 family food packs to regions affected by recent weather disturbances and is preparing P450 million in financial assistance for low-income families as they recover from the disaster.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday, July 28, said the agency is prioritizing the immediate delivery of food aid as local governments continue to request assistance for communities hit by heavy rains and flooding.
The food packs are being sent to areas under a state of calamity or flagged by local government units as in urgent need of relief.
Gatchalian added that the agency is mobilizing resources to reach its target of 1.5 million food packs in the coming days.
Alongside relief efforts, DSWD is also finalizing a list of beneficiaries for financial aid under its “Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program” (AKAP).
The agency has allocated an initial P450 million for distribution, though Gatchalian noted the amount may increase as reports of affected families continue to rise.
Based on the latest report from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center, about 1.9 million families have been affected by the southwest monsoon, Severe Tropical Storm Crising, and Typhoon Emong.
Of these, 31,000 families remain in evacuation centers.