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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced the completion of the first wave of relief distribution for families affected by the earthquake in Cebu Province during his visit to Bogo City on October 7, 2025.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with Disaster Response Management Group Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe, DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, and Assistant Regional Director Tonyson Luther S. Lee, visited Bogo City on October 7, 2025.

A total of 216,000 Family Food Packs (FFPs) were requested by local government units (LGUs) from the DSWD Field Office 7–Central Visayas following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on September 30, 2025.

DSWD 7 immediately released its prepositioned goods existing in some affected municipalities, and delivered additional FFPs from its warehouse in Cebu City and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City.

As of October 7, 2025, DSWD delivered 225,000 FFPs to 12 municipalities in northern Cebu and other nearby communities. These were distributed to the designated drop-off points of the concerned LGUs.

“Inaasahan natin ang ating mga LGUs na agaran itong maipapadala sa ating mga apektadong kababayan. Andyan ang ating mga Angels in Red Vests upang masiguro na ito ay makakarating sa mga biktima ng lindol,” Secretary Gatchalian said, referring to the DSWD’s continued efforts to reach the last mile of affected areas.

The Secretary emphasized the historic speed of the Department’s relief operations. “Tapos na kami sa aming first wave ng distribution ng FFPs. Kabuuang 225,000 FFPs ang na-deploy natin sa loob lamang ng tatlo hanggang apat na araw mula nang tumama ang lindol. Isa ito sa pinakamabilis na deployment sa kasaysayan ng DSWD,” he said during a media briefing in Bogo City.

Secretary Gatchalian also assured that a second wave of Family Food Pack distribution is set to begin on October 8, 2025.

“Nagkasundo kami ngayon with Cebu province at mga LGUs na para mas matugununan pa ang ating mga kababayan, alinsunod na rin sa utos ng ating pangulo, ay magkakaroon tayo ng second wave ng distribution ng Family Food Packss,” he shared.

“Magdadagdag tayo ng another 225,000 FFPs, at ang goal natin ay maipapamahagi ito ngayong linggo dahil meron pa tayong standby goods sa lahat ng ating repacking centers, both here in Visayas and in Luzon.” ###