The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is looking for volunteers who will help repack food items for victims of Tropical Storm Paeng.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) enjoined the public to volunteer at the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center on Chapel Road in Barangay 195, Pasay City.

“Para sa mga naghahanap ng paraan upang makatulong sa mga biktima ng bagyong Paeng, binuksan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development ang kanilang tanggapan sa mga volunteer na nais tumulong sa repacking ng family food packs (For those looking for a way to help the victims of Paeng, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has opened its office to volunteers who want to help repack family food packs),” the OPS said.

Interested volunteers must be willing to repack food items anytime until November 11. They may call the DSWD at 0915-2921875 and look for Nica.

Volunteers must show proof of complete primary Covid-19 vaccination doses and own water bottle containers.

One food pack contains six kilos of rice, sachets of cereal and coffee, and canned goods like corned beef, tuna, and sardines.

Once repacking is completed, the boxes will be immediately dispatched for distribution.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Sunday, DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is in “constant communication” with the agency on updates regarding the distribution of food packs and other relief items.

He likewise apologized for delays in the distribution of food packs due to floods.

“Help is on its way po. Kung hindi po today, ang pinaka latest would be tomorrow [Monday] morning kung saan mang dako kayo naroroon. Kung hindi po kayo marating by land, nandyan naman po ‘yung air assets ng (If not today, the latest will be Monday morning wherever you are. If we cannot send them by land, we can use air assets of the) Philippine Air Force, Office of Civil Defense,” he said.

“I hope you understand. Hindi po kami makapasok. Kung makapasok po kami (We cannot enter. If we can enter), we do it immediately,” he added.

Tulfo also said affected residents may also start availing of the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) “in the next few days.”

The AICS is a social safety net or a stop-gap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crisis such as illness or death of a family member, and other crisis situations.

It provides integrated services such as immediate rescue and protection provision of direct financial and material assistance, augmentation during disaster, and referrals for immediate medical, legal, and psycho-social services. (PNA)