By I. Inojales | 08:43 PM November 05, 2025
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The provincial government of Bohol has clarified reports regarding the delivery of family food packs (FFPs) to municipalities affected by Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi), following a public query by Trinidad Vice Mayor Joan Cajes-Imboy.
In a Facebook post, Cajes questioned why the municipality of Trinidad had not yet received relief packs from the province despite being among the first local government units (LGUs) to submit updates on evacuees and preposition relief goods.
“By this time, we should be receiving relief packs from the province,” Cajes wrote, urging that disaster response be kept free from politics.
In response, the provincial government released a statement explaining that 700 FFPs had already been prepositioned by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Trinidad.
However, the release of these supplies required three documents from the LGU — a formal request letter approved by the DSWD regional director, a situational analysis report, and a certification that the LGU’s disaster fund had been depleted.
According to the province, some LGUs were able to promptly receive their allocations after submitting the required documents, while Trinidad’s release was delayed because the necessary papers were not yet complete.
Recognizing the immediate needs of affected families, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado directed the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWD) to provide 1,299 relief packs from the province’s own stockpile to Trinidad while waiting for the DSWD’s formal clearance.
“This measure ensures that no affected family is left unaided while the documentary process is completed,” the statement read.
Aumentado emphasized that the provincial government remains committed to transparent and coordinated relief operations, adding, “In crises, politics has no place. Together, we move forward toward recovery and resilience.”
