DSWD reinstalls mechanized system

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Social Welfare and Development- Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) has inaugurated the re-installation of Mechanized Production System (MPS) for Family Food Packs in Barangay Tingub, Mandaue City.

Through the MPS, the VDRC is expected to produce a maximum of 50,000 family food packs (FFPs) daily.

Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista said that the re-installation of the MPS is one of the DSWD’s moves in strengthening its systems and processes to improve the provision of aid to the affected population

It can be recalled that the MPS facility ceased operations in September 2017 because of a warehouse transfer from Barangay Casuntingan to Barangay Tingub.

It resumed operations on December 20, 2021, just in time for the Typhoon Odette response operations.

Bautista said that VDRC is equipped with a custom-built mechanized production system designed to rapidly produce 50,000 family food packs in a day, which is enough to feed 250,000 people for 3 days.

He said that together with the mechanized production system at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, the FFF  production capacity will be doubled enough to feed 500,000 people for 3 days.

The VDRC, headed by Engr. Irish Flor Yaranon, is under the DSWD National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau. The center augments support of food and non-food items (FNFI) to the regional warehouses.

Meanwhile, incoming DSWD Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo and his transition team visited Cebu recently in preparation for the transfer of stewardship of the DSWD to the new administration.

Tulfo and his  team were briefed on the various programs and services implemented in the Visayas Cluster, including accomplishments of the outgoing administration, budget allocation, challenges, and key result areas that his leadership will be taking on. — FPL (FREEMAN)