The Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC), a DSWD-operated hub in Central Visayas, has continuously supported the regions affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption by producing and delivering Family Food Packs.

From December 9, 2024 to January 2, 2025, the VDRC delivered 4,200 FFPs to areas affected by the eruption with breakdowns as follows: 42,400 for Region 6-Western Visayas and 11,800 for Region 7-Central Visayas, in response to the immediate food needs of the displaced families.

The VDRC has since sent three batches of deliveries to Region 7 during its disaster response operations in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

It has sent 3,400 FFPs directly to the DSWD 7 warehouse in Dumaguete City, while 8,400 were transported to the Guihulngan warehouse for dispatch to Canlaon City.

The VDRC covered six (6) sites in the Negros Occidental province, including the Main Warehouse in Singcang, Bacolod City.

According to its Officer in Charge Jun Eso, the VDRC continues to deliver goods with the help of service providers.

He said that the VDRC is capable of sending relief goods because it is mandated to have at least 100,000 standby FFPs at its warehouse in Mandaue City, Cebu, ready to be dispatched anytime to any regional offices in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, including Luzon regions should there be a need.

“We are conscious of the need of the DSWD regional offices so that they can respond to the needs of the affected communities at all times,” he added.

Call for volunteers

Providing more food packs to both DSWD regional offices means more personnel are needed to produce the required number as they prepare for possible further explosions, which means more FFPs are needed to give to the affected families.

Eso said that while VDRC is ramping up its inventory, more workforce is needed to support the production of FFPs. “We actually need more people to help us repack the goods. Thus, we call for more volunteers from either the government or private sectors to help fast-track the production of FPPs and increase the stockpile should the worst-case scenario of Mt. Kanlaon occurs,” he said.

Interested volunteers may contact Ms. Anniebelle Diaz on her mobile number, 09617211127, for the schedule in the VDRC Warehouse at the Wicker and Vine compound, B. Suico St., Upper Tingub, Mandaue City.

“By volunteering, we can be part of the community solidarity needed in disasters,” he requested. ###

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