DWSD probed for ‘keeping’ P737M for Yolanda victims

CEBU, Philippines - What happened to the foreign cash donations and relief goods intended for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda?

The House of Representatives is set to conduct an inquiry into reports that the Department of Social Welfare and Development has failed to disburse foreign cash donations for Yolanda victims and that tons of relief goods were left to rot.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the probe to be conducted by the House committee on social services is aimed at reviewing the process of distributing relief goods undertaken by the national government in the aftermath of Yolanda.

Ridon cited the recent Commission on Audit report, which bared that millions worth of relief goods were wasted and not distributed to typhoon victims.

The COA report disclosed that the DSWD failed to distribute around 128,000 tins of sardines and P69.2 million worth of bottled water.

The COA also noted that P58 million worth of supplies were wasted due to irresponsible storage. This includes 7,527 family food packs valued at P2.7 million.

In the same report, the COA also said that cash donations from local and foreign aid remain concentrated in the account of DSWD.

According to the audit team, out of the P740,177,751.52 the DSWD received, only P3.88 million was disbursed, leaving a huge balance of almost P737 million undisbursed.

“Any reasonable person will be enraged by the fact that our countrymen in Eastern Visayas are going hungry while millions worth of relief goods just rot in DSWD’s storehouses. While many typhoon victims have yet to recover from the disaster, now we find out that DSWD is withholding even the release of cash donations both from domestic and international sources,” Ridon said.

The lawmaker also called on DSWD to account for the 135,540 items in assorted supplies, including 1,000 sacks of rice, that are unaccounted for, according to COA.

“The distribution of relief goods is dismal and now we have missing donations. How can these donors trust us when another calamity – God forbid – comes?” Ridon said.

He also stressed that if lawmakers do not make a full accounting of the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the national government, “unscrupulous officials might just think that they can get away with their possibly criminal acts, including the possible malversation of funds intended for Typhoon Yolanda victims.”

“It is time to assess the national government’s overall response to the disaster. Full accounting of all funds allotted for relief and rehabilitation must be made. Those who committed gross inefficiency and criminal neglect, especially the Aquino administration and its line agencies, must be held accountable,” he added. – Philippine Star News Service/NSA