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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider PBBM opens 2 facilities to fast-track delivery of aid

PBBM opens 2 facilities to fast-track delivery of aid

Published Feb 26, 2026 06:15 pm
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian tour the Mechanized Production System of the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City. (DSWD-7)
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian tour the Mechanized Production System of the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City. (DSWD-7)
CEBU CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Feb. 26, led the inauguration of two government facilities in Cebu that aim to speed up the delivery of aid to communities.
Marcos first visited the Pag-Abot Processing Center, a facility in Liloan town for people living on the streets.
The President also visited the upgraded Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City where he toured the P117-million Mechanized Production System (MPS), which can now produce up to 30,000 family food packs per eight-hour shift, tripling its previous capacity of 5,000 to 8,000 packs per day.
“Ito ang unang panahon na ang national government ay nagbibigay nitong klaseng food pack. Noong nakaraan, eh kung saan-saan na lang kumukuha ‘yung mga biktima. Pero ngayon, nakakapag-provide na ang national government. Kaya maganda itong naging facility natin,” Marcos said.
The new five MPS lines were designed and built specifically for the Philippines. It does not only accelerate production but also uses machine-operated vacuum sealing to prolong the shelf life of food packs, making them infestation-free and ready for long-term storage and prepositioning in disaster-prone regions, the President said.
The VDRC currently has four million food packs in storage, ready for distribution, but will continue producing until the facility reaches over five million FFPs.
Should there be unused FFPs, Marcos assured that food packs nearing expiration are being distributed for free to those in need as part of the government’s aid system.
Marcos said the facility is serving several fire emergencies and other ongoing disaster response efforts, including areas affected by volcanic activity.
The upgrade of VDRC is in line with Marcos' directive to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure the immediate and adequate delivery of assistance to families affected by calamities.
By ramping up production, the government can respond more quickly and effectively to major disasters, reaching even remote and vulnerable communities.
The Visayas hub complements services provided by the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City. While a temporary hub operates in Mindanao, Marcos announced plans to construct a permanent Mindanao Disaster Resource Center in Butuan City.
Across the country, the government has 17 mobile kitchens providing hot meals in evacuation centers and 16 mobile command centers to improve coordination during disasters.
VDRC also supports programs such as emergency cash transfer and cash-for-work, providing assistance to individuals earning below the minimum wage.
Funded through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, the upgraded MPS was completed in July 2025.
Marcos and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian were welcomed by Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Liloan town officials headed by Mayor Aljew Frasco during the launching.
Gatchalian said the program aims to bring government services close to those in need.
He said central to this commitment is the principle that “walang maiiwan (no one will be left behind).”

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