In a historic achievement, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on January 2, 2025, that it produced nearly 10 million family food packs (FFPs) throughout 2024, marking the highest production ever recorded. This milestone was highlighted by DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao, who also serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG). The production surge was driven by the agency’s strategic stockpiling and prepositioning efforts across the nation.
The DSWD’s two primary production hubs in Metro Manila and Cebu churned out a total of 9,856,984 FFPs last year. Dumlao emphasized that this record-breaking number is a testament to the DSWD’s dedication to being prepared for disasters and emergencies, ensuring they can meet the needs of their fellow citizens effectively.
The 2024 production figures represent a 42% increase over the previous year, with 4,187,337 FFPs produced in 2023. This significant rise was attributed to the successful implementation of the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) project, initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to enhance disaster preparedness and response through a robust supply chain.
The BBH project operates on two fronts: a government-driven supply chain that boosts the production capabilities of the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Metro Manila and the Visayas Disaster Response Center (VDRC) in Cebu, and a private sector-driven supply chain that collaborates with various businesses to leverage their expertise and resources.
Of the total FFPs produced, 3,163,826 were from NROC and 2,341,360 from VDRC, while 4,351,798 were sourced through partnerships with the private sector. Amid the tropical cyclones that struck the Philippines in the last quarter of 2024, the DSWD achieved a peak daily production of 30,000 FFPs, ensuring rapid response to disaster-affected families.
Dumlao praised the collaborative efforts of employees, volunteers, and partners from both the public and private sectors, which were crucial in accelerating the production and distribution of FFPs. She expressed optimism about breaking even more records in 2025, under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian and President Marcos Jr., to further enhance the DSWD’s disaster response capabilities.