Soliman willing to sit down, discuss issues with groups

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman on Friday reiterated  she is willing to sit down and dialogue with any group who wants to help in the relief and rehabilitation effort in Eastern Visayas.

This after members of People Surge and Gabriela staged a lightning rally in front of the DSWD main office in Quezon City this morning. 

"We have demonstrated that we are open to dialogues as long as we are notified in advance unlike today when all our officials are on field attending to important tasks," Soliman said in a statement.

Soliman earlier met with the leaders of the two groups om March 12 and discussed issues on relief distribution, provision of P40,000 cash assistance, and the scrapping of the  government's "No Build Zone."

During Friday's rally, the groups raised the issue of rotten relief goods from DSWD and the seven persons who died of hunger.

Soliman said that the rotten relief goods did not come from the DSWD but from other sources which was confirmed by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Palo who said that the goods they disposed were goods that got wet and expired ready-to-eat-food.

"DSWD Eastern Visayas is now helping the local government in handling and warehousing of relief goods to prevent future incidence of rotten relief goods," Soliman said.

She also said that there was no walk-out during the March 12 meeting.

Soliman said People Surge convenor Sister Edita Eslopor even thanked her for the opportunity and time given them for the dialogue.