To further ensure food supply in times of disasters, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now preparing for the full rollout of the newly-launched ready-to-eat food (RTEF) packs by 2025.
Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) for Special Projects Maria Isabel Lanada told reporters on Thursday (December 5) that the DSWD will start the distribution and prepositioning of the RTEF boxes, particularly across seaports and disaster-stricken areas across the country.
“Ang tinitignan natin, by next year, we can start na po ang pagpe-preposition ng mga Ready-to- Eat food boxes natin sa mga seaports sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng bansa at mga komunidad na tinatawag nating ‘disaster-prone areas’,” SAS Lanada said during the weekly Media Forum held at the New Press Center (NPC) at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
Launched during the National Convention on Project LAWA at BINHI last December 2, the RTEF packs were introduced as the latest initiative of the DSWD under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
The food contents of an RTEF box were formulated with the help of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST).
The food items are set to form part of the DSWD’s relief goods, which will be distributed to affected families within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of a disaster.
“Basically, ang concept ng RTEF ay bago dumating ang disaster, may ready-to-eat food na para sa mga apektado nating kababayan. Hindi na sila makaranas ng gutom… and then pagkatapos ng within 24-48 hours, nandon na FFPs natin na mas malaki,” SAS Lanada pointed out.
What are in the RTEF packs?
During the Thursday Media Forum, SAS Lanada presented to the reporters what are inside the RTEF box, the food contents of which have been nutritionally-analyzed by DOST-FNRI.
Each RTEF box contains five cans of tuna paella; two cans of chicken pastel and giniling; two packs of arroz caldo; three packs of champorado; two pieces of high energy biscuit/cracker; and one piece of chocolate complementary food. Five pieces of sporks (spoon and fork combined) are also included in the RTEF box.
“Basically, good for a five-member family ito… yung complementary food din po natin, this is for older infants and young children. Though hindi natin alam kung lahat ba ng pamilya ay may baby, nilagay na rin po natin sa bawat family food pack dahil ang importante may makakain po yung mga meron,” SAS Lanada explained to reporters.
The RTEF, which is a result of a year-long research conducted by the agency, is also formulated to bring in high-impact nutritional benefits based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
SAS Lanada said the DSWD asked the technical assistance of various local nutritionists and dieticians across the country, affirming that the contents of the products are healthy, safe, and ensure a well-balanced diet.
“Hindi lang FNRI ang nag-test, pati ang mga dietician and nutritionist from the University of the Philippines (UP) – Los Banos, the Dela Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, and the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) as part of the thorough research na ginawa ng ahensiya for this ready to eat food packs,” SAS Lanada pointed out.
SAS Lanada also clarified that the RTEF will only augment the relief resources of the DSWD, and not necessarily halt the provision of family food packs to disaster-hit families and individuals.
“Nais ko lang rin linawin na dagdag itong ready-to-eat, at hindi ibig sabihin na mawawala na yung pagbibigay natin ng family food packs sa ating mga kababayan,” SAS Lanada said. (LSJ)
