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 requiring no cooking or preparation. DSWD introduced RTEF boxes in late 2024, developed with the Department of Science and Technology Food and Nutrition Research Institute, for distribution within 24 to 48 hours of a disaster. A box contains pre-cooked items including protein biscuits. Compressed fortified biscuits 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.
- Relief goods
- The general term for food and essential supplies distributed to families affected by a disaster. In the Philippines relief goods are also called "ayuda" or simply "relief", and are distributed by LGUs, social welfare departments, NGOs, and donors — typically at evacuation centres or through barangay officials. Ready-to-Eat Food (RTEF) is the subset requiring no cooking.
- FFP (Family Food Pack)
- The standard DSWD relief assistance package, containing approximately 6 kilograms of rice, canned goods (commonly sardines and corned beef or beef loaf), and coffee or cereal drink sachets. One pack is intended for a family of five for about two days. Most contents require cooking, which is why RTEF items cover the first hours before cooking becomes possible.
- HEB (High Energy Biscuit)
- Term used in humanitarian and emergency-relief work for fortified, energy-dense biscuits distributed in the first phase of an emergency, when cooking facilities are unavailable. The category is defined by concentrated energy per gram, added micronutrients, long ambient shelf life, and individually sealed portions. Agency and donor specifications set their own thresholds, which differ between organisations.
- 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 programme providing food in addition to regular meals for children enrolled in child development centres and Supervised Neighborhood Play, across 120-day feeding sessions. Meals are served hot, as recommended by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute — so disasters that close kitchens interrupt delivery, which is where shelf-stable reserves keep continuity.
- SBFP (School-Based Feeding Program)
- DepEd's programme providing hot meals to undernourished public school learners from kindergarten to grade six over a 120-day period. Like the Supplementary Feeding Program it depends on daily kitchen logistics, which disasters interrupt.
- Complementary feeding
- Foods introduced to infants from six months of age alongside continued breastfeeding — a central concern of first-1000-days programming 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.