Manila, June 22 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has facilitated the loading of critical relief supplies into container vans bound for Basco, Batanes as Typhoon Francisco (International name Mekkhala) strengthens over the Philippine Sea, placing Batanes and northeastern Cagayan under Signal No. 1.

In partnership with the United Nations-World Food Programme (UN-WFP), the Department on Monday dispatched four container vans carrying 7,000 family food packs (FFPs) and another van loaded with 1,020 kitchen kits and 100 modular tents.

These goods are expected to arrive in the province between June 24 and 25.

The arrival of these supplies will boost the relief reserves in Batanes to a total of 24,034 FFPs, supplemen...