Amid efforts to enhance disaster response efficiency, the APTERR Secretariat team, led by General Manager Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, visited the Luzon Disaster Resource Center (LDRC) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pasay City, the Philippines, on 8 September 2025 to learn about the ‘Family Food Packs (FFPs)’ programme and observe its operational process in preparing emergency food supplies for national distribution.
Director Leo L. Quintilla, Special Assistant to the Secretary and OIC of the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), warmly welcomed the delegations from the APTERR Secretariat and the National Food Authority (NFA). He also guided the delegations through the packing process for the FFPs, which are prepositioned for rapid deployment in disaster-affected areas.
Each FFP box contains 6-kg rice bag, easy-open can food, beverages and basic utensils to provide immediate reliefs for affected families. In addition, the DSWD also supplies other essential items to support recovery efforts.
As a regular provider of rice assistance to the Philippines, the APTERR Secretariat also discussed the future collaboration on how to incorporate the APTERR rice assistance with DSWD’s FFPs to strengthen food security during emergencies, while ensuring alignment with the APTERR’s rules and procedures.
Photo credit: DSWD & the APTERR Secretariat
