By Michelle Ducut
The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office-4A (DSWD FO-Calabarzon) has bolstered its disaster response capabilities with the addition of 14 new satellite warehouses, bringing the total to 72 facilities across the region.
Jessie Jerusalem, head of the Regional Resource Operation Section of DSWD-4A’s Disaster Response and Management Division, explained that the expansion ensures faster and more efficient delivery of aid to communities affected by disasters. “With the establishment of more warehouses strategically located across the region, we can provide assistance more quickly since our facilities are closer to the communities that need help,” Jerusalem said.
The warehouses are distributed in coordination with local government units (LGUs) under memorandums of agreement, with six in Cavite, 10 in Laguna, 11 in Batangas, six in Rizal, and 34 in Quezon. These facilities store prepositioned relief goods, including 1,000 to 1,500 family food packs and 100 non-food items per warehouse, providing critical augmentation support to LGUs during emergencies.
Prior to this expansion, DSWD FO-4A operated only two warehouses located in Dasmariñas City and General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. The limited number of facilities often delayed the delivery of relief goods to remote areas during calamities.