To erase doubts of misrepresentation: Ombuds to DSWD 7: Stop repacking aid

CEBU, Philippines - “Discontinue if that’s the root of an issue.”

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol suggested this to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - 7 on matters concerning the alleged misrepresentation in the repacking of goods from foreign donors, as well as the alleged “dagdag-bawas” of pre-packed food packs.

Apostol, during an interview yesterday, said that to cast away the doubts of the people, the repacking of relief goods from foreign countries should be stopped right away. He said that since these foreign donations are already packed and ready for distribution, these should be distributed to the typhoon victims right away, as is.

Cherrey Mae Pancho Bartolata, a volunteer at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase, wrote in her Facebook account that donations from Indonesia were allegedly repacked and relabeled with “DSWD” and “NFA” (National Food Authority). She added that the DSWD process slowed down the distribution of relief goods, which were pre-packed by the donor country.

The post became viral and angered a number of netizens.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat, in a press conference the other day, denied that the agency misrepresented relief goods from foreign donors by removing the labels of donor countries.

“…contrary to the allegation, wala namo gitangtang ang potos, gisud lang kini sa DSWD nga plastic bag…wala mausab ang nawong sa gi donate,” she said.

She said that if the recipient will open the DSWD plastic bag, they can easily recognize that the said goods came from a foreign donor.

Placing the already packed relief goods into a DSWD plastic bag is also for easy accounting, she added.

The DSWD regional director also explained that they had to repack donated relief goods because some food packs were not complete.

“Amo na pun-an kay naa man tay standard food packs and kuhaon to nato ang mabuak like botelya sa ketchup,” she said during the press conference last Tuesday.

Although Apostol gave DSWD – 7 officials advice to stop the allegations, he assured that the Office of the Ombudsman will not intrude on the process of the distribution of the relief goods.

“Hindi tayo makikialam baka makasagabal lang tayo sa distribution ng relief goods pero imo-monitor natin yong cash donations if it is used as intended by the donors,” he said.

Apostol, however, said that the office is ready to investigate if complaints are filed against government officials accused of wrongdoing regarding the distribution of relief goods to victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

The misrepresentation of sources of relief goods, equipment and other aid commodities is punishable under Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

Section 19, paragraph (i) of RA 10121 prohibits the covering, replacing, or defacing the labels of the containers of relief goods to make it appear that the goods, equipment or other aid commodities came from another agency or persons.

The repacking of goods and others into containers with different markings to make it appear that the goods came from another agency or persons is also prohibited under the said law.

Section 19, paragraph (j) of the law also prohibits the substitution or replacing of relief goods with the same items of cheaper quality.

Those found guilty of violating the law face imprisonment of six to 12 years, a fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P500,000 or both, at the discretion of the court. — /QSB (FREEMAN)