ILOILO — In a major push to strengthen disaster response in geographically isolated communities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas has prepositioned 1,000 family food packs in the remote island barangay of Gabi in Isla Gigantes, Carles, Iloilo — marking the first time relief supplies have been stockpiled in one of the province’s farthest island villages for faster emergency response.
The move forms part of the government’s intensified “last mile” disaster preparedness strategy aimed at ensuring that isolated communities receive immediate aid during calamities, even before sea conditions or damaged transport routes can hamper relief operations.
DSWD Region 6 director Joselito Estember said the initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian to secure relief supply access for vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas.
“Dapat ma-secure, ma-ensure na lahat po ng mga isolated areas ay magkakaroon ng preposition para sa oras ng sakuna, ang ating mga kababayan na biktima ay magkaroon ng within a minute or hour na response mula sa ating gobyerno. So, first time ito sa lahat ng kapuluan natin na mayroon tayong family food packs sa ating mga isolated areas,” Estember said.
Estember described Barangay Gabi as among the most geographically isolated communities in Iloilo province.
“Island barangay po ito,” he added.
The relief goods — consisting of rice, canned goods, vegetables, and other nutritional supplies — were transported from the Visayas Disaster Response Center in Cebu through a coordinated operation involving the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the local government unit of Carles, and the PCG-Carles Substation.
The shipment was carried aboard the BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) before being transferred to smaller motor bancas capable of navigating the shallow and narrow waterways leading to Barangay Gabi.
To further involve residents in the operation, DSWD distributed 300 family food packs under its “food-for-work” program to locals who helped unload and transport the supplies upon arrival.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Philippine Coast Guard for their relentless efforts in transporting these essential goods from Cebu,” Estember said.
Barangay Gabi can only be reached after nearly four hours of travel by motorboat from mainland Carles, making relief delivery difficult during emergencies and rough weather conditions.
DSWD said the initiative aims not only to ensure immediate disaster response but also to improve resilience and preparedness among geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) across Western Visayas./PN
