DSWD open to external probe of spoiled relief goods

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD) yesterday welcomed any external investigation on the spoiled relief goods that were buried in Dagami, Leyte.

The DSWD issued the statement after Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. criticized the agency for the wastage of food packs and sacks of rice that were supposed to be distributed to victims of Typhoon Ruby and Typhoon Glenda last year.

“As I have said, there are personnel in the department who have been negligent in their jobs to keep the relief goods in good condition. We are not washing hands on this. We will establish the liability of the persons involved and make them accountable, in accordance with civil service rules,” Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said.

She reiterated that the goods were no longer fit for consumption, hence the decision to bury them.

“Our goal here was to make sure that the goods will not reach the affected families anymore. That is why these were disposed of immediately,” Soliman said.

In an earlier interview with The STAR, Soliman said she had ordered an investigation on DSWD Field Office eight personnel who were responsible for the spoilage of relief goods stored in two warehouses in Tacloban City.

“We are now putting in place several reforms to enhance our warehousing capability and handling of relief goods to ensure that a similar incident will not happen again,” she said.

Soliman assured the public that the result of DSWD’s own investigation on the matter will be made public.