DSWD, PPA prep ready-to-eat food packs at 25 ports

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has signed an agreement with the Philippine Ports Authority to preposition ready-to-eat food packs at 25 major and critical ports nationwide to assist stranded passengers during disasters.

These food packs, developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, include nutritious meals such as champorado, arroz caldo, tuna paella, chicken pastil, and ground chicken, along with protein-rich biscuits and complementary food for children and lactating mothers.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao stated that these ready-to-eat meals are convenient because they do not require heating or hot water to consume, unlike traditional family food packs.

Passengers at the North Harbour who tested the meals reported that they were tasty and filling.

The foodpacks can be deployed not only in ports but also in other emergency areas as needed.

This initiative aims to ensure immediate relief for passengers stranded due to calamities or disasters.