Over a hundred volunteers flocked to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Field Office 7 in Cebu to help out in sorting, packing, handling and hauling relief goods for the victims of the earthquake

Heidelin Demecillo, who is currently taking up her studies at the University of the Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), together with her classmates, helped in packing relief goods at the grounds of the regional office. “We don’t have classes today so we thought of volunteering and helping out however we can,” she said.

“We always welcome the help of the volunteers since they augment the disaster operations of the agency especially when most of our staff still also have to continue with their regular functions amid the disaster,” said Christine Escolano from the Capacity Building Unit of DSWD who is in-charge of the volunteers.

Volunteers were asked to pack relief goods containing five assorted canned goods, three kilos of rice, 2-3 packs of noodles and 1 (4-litre) drinking water to be distributed to the earthquake victims in Bohol and Cebu. As of 2PM of October 16 there are a total of 8,269 affected families in the region.

DSWD is targeting eighteen thousand (18,000) family packs to be readily available for distribution the soonest possible time.

Meanwhile, more than fifty (50) marine and nautical engineering students from the University of Cebu (UC) came to assist the Department. UC Executives also offered their bus to be used for the delivery of the goods to Pier 1 where a boat of the Philippine Coast Guard will take these goods to Bohol as soon as loading will be done tonight.

For inquiries and updates on DSWD-7 disaster response efforts, the public may call the DSWD  Emergency Hotline (032) 232-9507.