Beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol herd at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City to gain extra income in repacking of relief goods.

Eighteen-year-old-Diana Rose Locasia of Barangay Sto. Cristo, Daraga, Albay together with 200 beneficiaries chose to spend their night at Albay Astrodome repacking relief goods for the affected families of Typhoon Ruby.

For Diana, she wants to spend her time in much worthy things to help the affected families. “Nag-eenjoy po kami kasama mga ka-klase ko kasi nakakatulong ka na, kumikita ka pa,” she said.

Diana will be receiving P250 for every eight hours rendered in repacking of goods. “At least may pandagdag na ako sa pamasahe, baon tapos sa project ko,” Diana added.

The Department has mobilized the pantawid pamilya beneficiaries in repacking of relief goods in order to continuously provide augmentation support to the affected families of Typhoon Ruby.

For every shift, a total of 200 persons are needed for repacking. Also, packers were given a quick briefing on what to put in the bags before being given actual assignments.

Assistant Secretary Javier Jimenez and Regional Director Arnel Garcia, led the repacking of relief goods. Each bag contains 6 kilos of rice, 8 canned goods, 6 sachets of coffee or chocolate powdered drink and 6 noodles, all worth P406.

Each pack would take care of a family’s food needs for the next two to three days.

As of December 9, 2014, at 3:00 in the afternoon, 5,600 family food packs and 5,519 bags of rice amounting to P11,047,014 are provided to the local government units for augmentation.

In addition, a total of 135,647 families or 614,985 persons are affected in Bicol due to typhoon Ruby. ***G.A.N.Lindio, Info. Officer Pantawid Pamilya