“We assure the public that the accident involving a truck set to deliver family food packs for Typhoon Ompong-affected residents will not cease our response operations in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).”

This was the assurance made by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Virginia N. Orogo following a road accident involving a delivery truck contracted by the DSWD-National Resource and Logistics Management Service (NRLMS) to deliver 1,700 boxes of family food packs (FFPs), which are set to be airlifted to Bakun, Benguet, while traversing along Camp 7, Kennon Road along St. Petersville.

According to the report of the DSWD Field Office (FO) CAR, the truck driver apparently swerved on the cement railings to avoid passing vehicles and pedestrians. No injuries or casualties were involved in the accident, however some food packs were damaged.

Personnel from the DSWD FO-CAR and other concerned authorities immediately responded to the accident and were able to bring the rest of the undamaged food packs to the DSWD warehouse in Puguis, La Trinidad.

The regional office reported that out of the 1,700 food packs, 398 were accounted for, 101 of which were damaged and returned to the DSWD warehouse for repacking, while the remaining 1,302 food packs are still being checked and accounted.

“We have already advised our field office that once the damaged goods are repacked in the warehouse, the food packs will be airlifted and distributed to their respective areas as soon as possible,” said Sec. Orogo.

Aside from relief distribution, the FO-CAR also started facilitating its assessment on ‘Ompong’ victims who wants to avail of the “Balik Probinsya Program.” The affected individuals will receive cash assistance and FFPs in preparation for their relocation to their place of origin.

To date, the Department has already provided a total of P63,443,657.70 worth of assistance to ‘Ompong’ victims inside and outside evacuation centers. ###