The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has dispatched 75,000 family food packs (FFPs) to local government units (LGUs) in Cebu province severely affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck on Sept. 30, as part of the agency’s continuing relief operations in Central Visayas.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the distribution of the food packs to quake-hit families is well underway and will be completed by Saturday, Oct. 4.

“Today (October 3), we released 75,000 FFPs. By tomorrow (October 4), done na tayo,” Gatchalian said in his message to the DSWD Field Office 7 (FO-7) – Central Visayas, which he relayed to his communications team.

He said the released food packs form part of the 142,000 FFPs requested by 11 LGUs whose mayors met with the DSWD chief earlier this week during his visit to the quake-affected areas of Cebu.

According to the agency, its Field Office 7 has been working round-the-clock to support local governments in their disaster response efforts. 

The Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City has also been operating at full capacity, with volunteers helping in the repacking and production of relief goods, it added.

To ensure timely aid delivery, DSWD said FO-7 has deployed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in the municipalities of San Remigio and Medellin in Northeastern Cebu to oversee ongoing relief and coordination work.

Meanwhile, the field office continues to lead the profiling of affected families using the Family Access Cards in Emergencies and Disasters (FACED) system in Bogo City, the area hardest hit by the powerful tremor.

The DSWD also reported that its Field Offices in Western Visayas and the Bicol Region are on standby for augmentation and logistical support to ensure continuous delivery of relief assistance to Cebu.