The DSWD Field Office 1 is ready to augment requests from Local Government Units (LGUs) to support the immediate needs of the victims of Tropical Storm Jolina.

“At present, Php 11.7M worth of food and non-food items stocked at the regional warehouse and satellite warehouses strategically positioned in the provinces are intact and ready to assist the affected families,” Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo said.

The said amount includes 30,596 family food packs (FFPs) and other food items including bottled water and infant dry cereals.

Moreover, non-food items like generator sets, heavy duty batteries, blankets, mats, beddings, body bags, water containers, and kitchen utensils worth Php 7.2M are also ready at any given time.

Repacking of FFPs is done at the regional warehouse to accommodate requests coming from the LGUs, especially for victims still inside evacuation centers in the Province of La Union: Aringay Ampitheater in Aringay, Santiago Norte Barangay Hall in Caba, and San Francisco Day Care Center and San Agustin Elementary School in the City of San Fernando.

DSWD, being the Vice-Chair for the Response Cluster, is now receiving relief augmentation requests and coordinates with the satellite warehouses to release the needed relief particularly the LGUs in the First District of Ilocos Sur to help the families of fisherfolks along coastal barangays. (by: Iryn D. Cubangbang, Information Officer II)