Reference
Emergency food & disaster response glossary
Plain-language definitions of the terms used in Philippine disaster response, relief procurement, and institutional feeding — from RTEF and MRE to LDRRMF and prepositioning.
- RTEF (Ready-to-Eat Food)
- DSWD terminology for relief food that requires no cooking or preparation before consumption. RTEF is distributed in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, before hot-meal operations or family food pack distribution are established. Compressed fortified biscuits like FoodSecure PH fall in this category.
- MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat)
- A self-contained individual field ration originally developed for military use, typically containing a full menu of retort-packaged courses, accessories, and often a flameless ration heater. MREs offer variety but are heavier, bulkier, and costlier per calorie than compressed ration formats.
- FFP (Family Food Pack)
- The standard DSWD relief assistance package — commonly rice, canned goods, coffee, and other staples sized for a family for roughly 2-3 days. Most FFP contents require cooking, which is why RTEF items cover the first hours before cooking becomes possible.
- HEB (High Energy Biscuit)
- Humanitarian-sector term (used by the UN World Food Programme, among others) for fortified, energy-dense biscuits distributed in the first phase of emergencies when cooking facilities are unavailable. Typically delivers 400-500+ kcal per 100g with added vitamins and minerals.
- Compressed biscuit
- A biscuit densified under pressure to concentrate energy per volume and weight, producing a compact, shelf-stable ration bar. FoodSecure PH is a fortified compressed biscuit delivering approximately 4.6 kcal per gram.
- Emergency ration
- A general term for shelf-stable food intended for consumption during emergencies when normal food supply is disrupted — covering compressed biscuits, MREs, high energy biscuits, and similar shelf-stable formats.
- BP-5
- A widely recognized brand of compact emergency food used in international humanitarian relief — often used generically to describe the compressed food bar category. Locally manufactured equivalents avoid import lead times and costs.
- Prepositioning
- Placing relief supplies in strategic warehouse locations before a disaster occurs, so distribution can begin immediately after impact rather than waiting for procurement and transport. Long shelf life is the key product attribute that makes prepositioning economical.
- RA 10121
- The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 — the law establishing the national and local DRRM structure, including DRRM councils, offices, plans, and the funding mechanism (LDRRMF) that LGUs use for preparedness activities such as relief stockpiling.
- LDRRMF (Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund)
- The fund each LGU sets aside (not less than 5% of estimated revenue from regular sources) for disaster risk reduction and management. 70% supports prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, rehabilitation and recovery programming; 30% forms the Quick Response Fund.
- QRF (Quick Response Fund)
- The 30% portion of the LDRRMF reserved as a standby fund for relief and recovery, so response can proceed immediately after a disaster declaration without waiting for a supplemental budget.
- DRRMO / BDRRMC
- The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is the LGU office (provincial, city, or municipal) responsible for DRRM planning and operations; the Barangay DRRM Committee performs the equivalent role at barangay level. These are the primary institutional buyers of LGU emergency food stockpiles.
- HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response)
- Military and interagency terminology for operations delivering relief to disaster-affected populations — a common mission profile for the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard in which shelf-stable, ready-to-eat rations serve both crews and affected communities.
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- Internationally recognized principles governing food production quality — covering facilities, hygiene, process controls, and documentation — to ensure products are consistently produced to quality and safety standards. FoodSecure PH is manufactured under GMP principles.
- FDA CPR (Certificate of Product Registration)
- The registration issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration for a food product, verifying it may be legally manufactured and distributed. Procurement teams typically require FDA documentation during technical evaluation.
- PhilGEPS
- The Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System — the central portal where government procurement opportunities are posted and supplier registration is maintained. Government buyers commonly verify supplier PhilGEPS registration during bidding.
- SFP (Supplementary Feeding Program)
- DSWD's feeding program providing meals to children in day care and supervised neighborhood play settings, supplementing regular nutrition for children aged 3-5. Distinct from emergency feeding, though disasters often interrupt SFP operations — which is where ready-to-eat reserves keep continuity.
- SBFP (School-Based Feeding Program)
- DepEd's feeding program addressing undernourishment among public school learners through school-managed meals. Like SFP, it depends on kitchen logistics that disasters interrupt.
- Complementary feeding
- Foods introduced to infants from 6 months of age alongside continued breastfeeding — a central concern of First 1000 Days programming (RA 11148) and Philippine national nutrition policy.
- Shelf life & stock rotation
- Shelf life is the period a product remains safe and within specification under stated storage conditions; rotation is the practice of issuing oldest stock first (FEFO — first expiry, first out). A 2-year shelf life halves the rotation burden compared to 1-year relief goods.
Looking for the product behind the terms?
FoodSecure PH is a Philippine-manufactured RTEF — a fortified compressed biscuit with a 2-year shelf life, built for LGU, NGO, and institutional stockpiles.