DSWD probes 'prostitution' in evacuation centers

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman on Tuesday said that there is a possibility that prostitution and human trafficking have been happening in some evacuation centers in the country.

"Posibleng nangyayari pero walang ebidensya...a lot of it are rumors, stories," Soliman said in a press briefing in Quezon City.

She, however, stressed that the department has been looking into reports of prostitution in evacuation centers in the country and has been putting in place measures to prevent such acts.

"Kami ay kumukuha ng ebidensya at hard data tungkol sa akusasyon na ito para maayos at di mabiktima ang mga babae...pinapaigting po natin ang kampanya laban sa pang aabuso sa mga babae sa Yolanda areas ," Soliman said.

She, however, stressed that there is no prostitution in evacuation centers in Zamboanga City, where residents are predominantly Muslims.

As this developed, Soliman said the department is continuously distributing relief goods in the areas hit by super typhoon Yolanda.

"Tuluy-tuloy ang relief packs sa ating mga kababayan sa Region 8," Soliman said, noting that 5.8 million food packs have already been downloaded in the calamity areas.

A food pack consists of 25 kilos of rice, which is good for 14 days, 20 pieces of canned goods, noodles and coffee.

Soliman said that the DSWD is now assessing the situation in the devastated areas, which will end by May.

"Yung may kakayahan na bumili ng sariling pagkain ay 'di na binibigyan," she said.