By Charissa Luci-Atienza

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region IV-A on Tuesday (Jan. 14) invited individuals and groups to be part of the government’s relief efforts by helping repack food packs and relief items for the families affected by Taal Volcano’s phreatic and magmatic eruptions.

“We need individuals or groups for the repacking of family food packs and relief items for the affected families of the Taal Volcano Eruption,” the agency said in a Facebook post.

According to the announcement, the repackaging started 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

The DSWD Region IV-A instructed the volunteers to proceed to DSWD Field Office IV-A Warehouse in Barangay Gregoria de Jesus, Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, or to the National Resource Operations Center, Chapel Road, Pasay City.

DSWD thanked the individuals and groups who showed their interest to be part of the relief operations. However, due to a huge number of volunteers, it advised them to register for the easier processing of their schedule.

“Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nagbigay ng interes na maging kabahagi sa aming #TaalVolcano Relief Operations sa pamamagitan ng pagiging volunteer sa aming repackaging centers,” it said.

(We thank those who showed their interest to become part of our #TaalVolcano Relief Operations by serving as volunteers in our repackaging centers.)

The DSWD Region IV-A also encouraged the public to donate goods and items such as face masks; bottled water; hygiene kits with toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap; sanitary napkins and diapers; sleeping mats, blankets, and towels; and food items such as canned goods, biscuits, noodles, and other ready-to-eat meals.

The DSWD reminded the public that it does not accept donations of used clothing for health and hygiene reasons.

The DSWD Region IV-A said the donations may be delivered to any of the following: DSWD Field Office IV-A, Alabang-Zapote Road, Alabang, Muntinlupa City; DSWD Field Office IV-A Warehouse in Bgy. Gregoria de Jesus, GMA, Cavite; or to the National Resource Operations Center, Chapel Road in Pasay City.

Donors may also directly coordinate with the city or municipal social welfare and development office of the affected areas, DSWD said. “Please note that all donations must be duly accounted by the receiving agency through an acknowledgement receipt.”