THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced that its stock of emergency family food packs (FFPs) has reached 4.5 million. The figure was confirmed by the agency’s National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau on March 19. ​The DSWD said the food packs have been prepositioned across hubs, spokes, and last-mile warehouses to ensure faster response during emergencies. ​“This achievement reflects the DSWD’s strong commitment to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, ensuring timely food assistance reaches families affected by disasters,” Assistant Secretary Leo Quintilla said. ​The initiative is part of the agency’s Buong Bansa Handa program aimed at enhancing disaster response capabilities. ​“Reaching this level of preparedness reflects the dedication, coordination, and hard work of DSWD personnel and partners who help strengthen the country’s disaster response capacity,” Quintilla added. ​The program utilizes two supply chains, including a government-led system that works with local government units and a private-sector partnership model. ​“The initiative runs two simultaneous supply chains to ensure efficient and rapid deployment of resources during disasters,” Quintilla said. ​The DSWD announced plans to establish a new disaster resource center in Butuan City to further boost production capacity. ​“With an initial allocation of 500 million pesos, the new regional hub in Butuan City is expected to significantly enhance the government’s ability to deliver assistance to disaster-affected families,” Quintilla said.