SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian yesterday said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is investigating reports of the alleged repackaging of relief packs for families affected by typhoon “Carina” before these are distributed to beneficiaries.
Gatchalian, in a press conference, did not provide additional details on the alleged tampering except that the agency received an email about the purported repackaging of the food packs that were sent to one area for distribution to the typhoon victims.
He said the DSWD will file charges against persons who will be found to be involved in the illegal act.
“Hahabulin namin kayo (We will run after you),” the DSWD Secretary said, adding the family food packs and non-food relief items are usually given in a sealed box or package.
He said each food pack or box contains six kilograms of rice, four pieces of canned tuna, two canned sardines, four cans of corned beef, five sachets of 3-in1 coffee and five sachets of cereal drink.
Gatchalian said the tampering or repacking of the food packs is illegal and constitutes a criminal act.
“We would like to remind all recipients of family food packs or FFPs that tampering of relief goods distributed by the DSWD is a criminal act. This includes opening the contents to redistribute them in smaller quantities to affected families or replacing the DSWD goods with inferior or lesser quality items,” he said, stressing that the packages should be given in full to beneficiaries.
Under section 19 of Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2010, the tampering of relief packages are prohibited.
Violators face a fine ranging from P50,000 to P500,000 or imprisonment of six years up to 12 years, or both at the discretion of the court, including perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the instrumentalities used in committing any of the prohibited acts.
Gatchalian’s statement comes after a complaint was filed with the Ombudsman against some local officials of Bulacan who were allegedly involved in the repacking of relief aid from the DSWD that was intended for Carina victims.
Photos and videos of the alleged repacking incident were reportedly attached to the complaint as evidence.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian said more than 1.5 million family food packs have been distributed by the DSWD to Carina victims.
He said the agency is currently replenishing the food packs that have already been used for future emergencies.
He assured the public that the agency still has enough standby funds and food packs ready for distribution.
DSWD data show it still has over P2.72 billion worth of funds and relief goods on standby.
Gatchalian said the DSWD had its quick reaction fund replenished by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) twice during Carina due to the gravity of the effect of the typhoon that was enhanced by the southwest monsoon.
The DSWD Disaster Response Management Group said that as of 6 a.m. yesterday, P645.376 million worth of relief aid, mostly food items, have been distributed to 1.504 million families or 5.431 million individuals from 4,537 barangays from 11 regions who were affected by Carina.
