Individuals and groups from all walks of life continue to flock to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC), the main disaster response hub of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pasay City, to help in the production of family food packs (FFPs) for disaster-affected families and individuals.

“We would like to thank our volunteers for their invaluable help in our disaster preparedness and response efforts.  With their help, we are able to maintain the 100 percent maximum capacity of family food packs  of our warehouses, ensuring that we have enough relief supplies for our disaster-affected kababayans,” DSWD Assist. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Friday (July 26).

The National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), which manages the NROC, has recorded some 865 volunteers since Monday (July 22).

On Tuesday (July 23), the DSWD called for volunteers to help in the production of FFPs.

“To date, our volunteers have already helped produce 59,151 FFPs. These FFPs will replenish those that were distributed to the families and individuals displaced by Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.

In a DSWD media briefing on Thursday (July 25), Special Asst. to the Secretary (SAS) for DRMG Maria Isabel Lanada said the call for volunteers is “for DSWD hubs and spokes para po I replenish na ang 100 percent maximum capacity ng ating mga warehouses around the country.”

Arlene Queva, one of the volunteers, said that she is happy to be of help.

“Happy po ako na nag vo-volunteer dito dahil masaya po dito. Kasama ang ibang mga nanay at ang purpose namin is to help other people, na iyung gawaing pambayan po, yung gawain natin na makatulong sa ating bayan lalo na po sa ganitong disasters na nagaganap po ngayon. Ito po yung ating adhikain na magkaroon po tayo ng volunteerism dito sa DSWD para po tayo ay tumulong at paigtingin po ang ating ahensya for emergency purpose,” Arlene said.

Aside from individual volunteers like Arlene,  there are also group volunteers from government agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),  Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), among others.

Private organizations are also among the volunteers such the Pusong Riders Group, Family Peace Association, and Members Church of God International.

The DSWD spokesperson said volunteers should be above 18 years old, healthy and willing to do work at the warehouse such as bundling of food supplies, forming boxes, and packing.

Before the deployment, a short orientation is given to the volunteers so they will know how to conduct themselves within the NROC premises.

Those interested to volunteer at NROC may contact Ms. Shara Lee  at mobile number 09260612646 and email address, msllee@dswd.gov.ph for scheduling. #