MORE than 100 public market vendors helped repack relief goods on Saturday at the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) national operations center in Pasay City.

　　They were hired by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) through a cash-for-work arrangement under the agency's emergency employment for displaced workers, or the Tupad program.

　　In a brief interview with The Manila Times, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the cash-for-work initiative was solely done in the national operations center, when asked if field offices were doing the same.

　　"We're working with DoLE to have more people help us in the repacking of family food packs at [the center in Pasay]," Dumlao said.

　　"DoLE will identify beneficiaries under its Tupad program," she added.

　　The recipients were from Zone 20 Pildera/Sun Valley, Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.

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　　Volunteer workers

　　Meanwhile, people from all walks of life continue to visit the DSWD's National Resource Operations Center (NROC) to volunteer and assist in the preparation of family food packs for disaster-affected families and individuals.

　　"We would like to thank our volunteers for their invaluable help in our disaster preparedness and response efforts," Dumlao said.

　　"With their help, we are able to maintain the 100 percent maximum capacity of family food packs in our warehouses, ensuring that we have enough relief supplies for our disaster-affected kababayans," she added.

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　　Along with individual volunteers, there are group volunteers from government agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Statistics Authority, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, among others.

　　Volunteers include private organizations such as the Pusong Riders Group, the Family Peace Association, and the Members Church of God International.

　　Dumlao stated that volunteers must be at least 18 years old, healthy and eager to assist at the warehouse, such as packing food items and piling boxes.

　　Those interested in volunteering at the NROC may contact Ms. Shara Lee at 09260612646 or [email protected] for scheduling.

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