Solon seeks inquiry into mishandled food, other donations for Yolanda victims coursed through the DSWD

The devastation left by super typhoon ‘Haiyan.’ Richard Whitcombe / Shutterstock

MANILA — A member of the House independent minority bloc is seeking an inquiry into the alleged loss, defective storage, non-distribution and misuse of donations specially food and other in-kind items for super typhoon Yolanda victims which were coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In House Resolution 1155, Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz (Party-list, Abakada) called on the House committees on social services and on food security to investigate the mishandling of the donations from public and private donors, local and overseas, which were coursed through the DSWD.

Dela Cruz said reports have indicated that some donations are still in storage, some already expired and no longer fit for human consumption and others finding their way into private hands and even public markets.

“These series of reports have reached a global audience which has put the country in a bad light before the international donor community,” said Dela Cruz.

He said “reports of mishandling and misdeeds are not only unconscionable but indicate a serious breakdown in the manner by which the government has responded to calamities, natural and man-made.

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“Millions, may be even billions, of dollars worth of food and in-kind donations for victims of recent calamities have reportedly been delivered by various donors, local and overseas, through the DSWD,” he said.

He said reports of non-distribution, loss, defective storage and even misuse of said donations specially food and other in-kind and perishable items have been noted.

“Part of the food aid for super typhoon Yolanda victims have reportedly been left to rot without being distributed by the DSWD,” said Dela Cruz.