A new measure seeks to create a nationwide network of disaster food banks and stockpiles to expedite relief efforts during crises.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 2860, or the Disaster Food Bank and Stockpile Act, aiming to establish hubs in every province and city across the country to store essential goods such as non-perishable food, potable water, medicines, and medical supplies for rapid deployment in disaster-stricken areas.
“Disaster preparedness should include maintaining readiness even during normal times, especially in a disaster-prone country like ours,” Estrada underscored, highlighting the importance of addressing accessibility issues in relief efforts.
SB 2860 mandates the creation of secure, calamity-proof warehouses managed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
These facilities will hold supplies with a shelf life of at least two years, sufficient for a three-week supply for all affected residents. Priority will be given to island municipalities, remote areas, and 4th to 5th class municipalities for the prepositioning of these stocks.
Under the bill, a first-in, first-out system will be used to ensure that items approaching expiration are donated to relevant agencies, including the DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), and local government units (LGUs), for immediate distribution to vulnerable citizens.
Estrada noted that the bill aims to prevent scenarios like the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country lacked sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) to curb the virus’s spread.
“We also do not want a repeat of what happened during the raging health crisis when the country did not have enough domestic inventory of personal protective equipment,” he said.
By setting up these disaster food banks, the bill seeks to speed up aid distribution and prevent delays that often worsen the impact of calamities.
“The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, and time and again, we have seen how delays in the delivery of aid exacerbate the suffering of our people,” Estrada emphasized.
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