Church Donates Sealing Machines to DSWD to Boost Food Pack Capacity

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 13 double-chamber vacuum-sealing machines to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on May 26, 2026, during a ceremonial handover at the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City.

The machines will be deployed to the Mindanao Disaster Resource Center (MDRC) in Butuan City, where they will help increase the region’s capacity to produce and preposition Family Food Packs for disaster-affected communities across Mindanao and parts of the Visayas.

Representing the Church at the ceremony were Elder Anthony John M. Balledos, Humanitarian Country Director and an Area Seventy of the Church, and Bishop John Dexter Domingo of the Pasay 4th Ward of the Pasay Philippines Stake. They were accompanied by senior missionary couples serving in the Humanitarian Division in the Philippines Area.

The DSWD was represented by Asec. Leo L. Quintilla, Assistant Secretary for Resource and Logistics Management, and Atty. Jun T. Eso, Director III and concurrent Officer-in-Charge of the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau.

Strengthening Mindanao Disaster Preparedness

The donation marks the second time in two years that the Church has provided vacuum-sealing equipment to the DSWD. In 2024, the Church donated three double-chamber vacuum sealers to the department’s central operations, bringing the total number of vacuum-sealing machines donated by the Church to 16.

According to DSWD officials, the three machines donated in 2024 increased daily Family Food Pack production from approximately 5,000 to 8,000 and eventually to as many as 10,000.

With the 13 new machines now destined for Butuan City, DSWD officials said the MDRC will be able to independently produce at least 5,000 Family Food Packs per day, or up to 100,000 packs in a single month based on 20 working days.

“This valuable contribution will greatly strengthen the Department’s disaster response capabilities, particularly in enhancing the operations of the Mindanao Disaster Resource Center in Butuan City,” Asec. Quintilla said. “Your generosity serves as an important investment in our continuing mission of delivering timely and efficient humanitarian assistance to communities affected by disasters and emergencies.”

Reducing Distance, Accelerating Relief

Before this donation, food pack repacking operations for Mindanao were conducted centrally before the packs were transported to the region. With the new machines in place, the MDRC can conduct repacking operations directly, reducing transportation costs and helping speed the delivery of relief assistance to communities across Mindanao and, when necessary, parts of the Visayas.

The machines will also support the DSWD’s use of vacuum-sealing technology to help prolong the shelf life of rice included in Family Food Packs. By reducing exposure to contaminants, insect infestations and moisture during storage and distribution, the technology helps maintain the quality and freshness of relief goods.

Cooperation Built on Shared Purpose

In his remarks, Elder Balledos, who is also an Area Seventy of the Church, reflected on the values that motivate the Church’s humanitarian work.

“One of the fundamental purposes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to care for the poor and the needy,” he said. “We believe that we are all brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father.”

Bishop Domingo said the donation is also an opportunity to serve communities and help them become more self-reliant.

“The handover of these vacuum sealers is a meaningful example of how we can follow the Savior’s teachings by caring for others and helping communities become more self-reliant,” he said.

The DSWD expressed gratitude for the Church’s support.

“Your steadfast support creates a remarkable difference in our mission of providing immediate humanitarian relief assistance to disaster-affected families and vulnerable communities,” Asec. Quintilla said. “This act of generosity reflects compassion, solidarity, and the enduring spirit of humanitarian service.”