Capitol denies attaching stickers on relief goods

DUMAGUETE CITY ,Philippines  – A top official of the Negros Oriental provincial government yesterday denied the Capitol has been behind the attaching of stickers, allegedly bearing the face of Gov. Roel Degamo, on the plastic bags of relief goods distributed to earthquake victims.

Provincial administrator Arnel Francisco said in a telephone interview that it was not the governor or any person of authority from the provincial government who ordered the attachment of stickers on the plastic bags.

Photos of repacked relief goods in white plastic bags had stickers bearing the words, “DSWD, MagDegamo, Rescue” with the logos of the DSWD and the provincial government of Negros Oriental, have been posted on Facebook, a few days ago, together with photos of people in Guihulngan City lining up for relief distribution and police personnel deployed for security purposes.

Facebook users who saw the photos have posted strongly-worded comments about the incident and criticized local politicians of allegedly taking advantage of the disaster in northern Negros Oriental to promote their political agenda and to pre-position themselves for the 2013 elections.

Francisco said reports that reached his office said the plastic bags bore stickers with the markings “PDSWD” and not “DSWD.” He said “PDSWD” was in itself an error because it should have been PSWD or the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

The provincial official also clarified there is nothing wrong with attaching stickers or printing labels on relief packages of the donor’s name for identification purposes, citing the time of typhoon Sendong when the provincial government ordered the printing of stickers that were attached to the plastic bags of distributed relief goods.

This was being done only with relief goods purchased by provincial government funds, while other donations from private and other individuals or group donors are left as is, said Francisco adding that he will investigate the incident especially on the possibility that the governor’s detractors could be behind this latest controversy.

A reliable source, who asked for anonymity, however alleged that relief goods intended for Negros Oriental earthquake victims were reportedly first being brought to the Negros Oriental Convention Center for repacking, and this was where the stickers were attached on the packs before being released to the recipients.

A news article in a national daily had reported that DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said he “will advise Governor Degamo to refrain from using the calamity for political purposes.”

In a related development, DSWD-Region 7 information officer Aileen Lariba expressed surprise over the reported incident, saying that the DSWD-7 regional office never authorized any body to attach any markings on relief packages bearing the agency’s name and logo. Official packs of the agency do not have stickers but with the printed words: DSWD-7, RELIEF SUPPLIES and NOT FOR SALE.

Lariba said she will file an official report of the incident to the regional office, while appealing to all to set aside politics in distributing relief goods to as many victims as possible.