DAVAO CITY, February 15, PIA XI– “It is simply a matter of submitting to DSWD the distribution list for the recipients of the 10,000 sacks of rice and we are not filing a case against anyone.”
This was the statement made by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) OIC Director Priscilla N. Razon following the picket staged by some 20 members of Barug Katawhan, Anak Pawis and Panalipdan Tuesday morning in front of the DSWD building.
The three groups were part of the larger group that demanded the release of the 10,000 sacks of rice from the Montevista human barricade on January 15.
Director Razon said, “We have met up with some members of these groups on January 18 and February 18 and we have discussed and underscored the government requirements in the provision of relief assistance. It was made clear to them that the necessary documents are SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) in all relief operations which our partner local government units have been complying with in every disaster relief operations we undertake.”
“We are aware that 10,000 sacks of rice is roughly worth P1,250,000.00 and the Department is accountable for this,” Razon stressed.
In their last meeting, Razon said the group was able to present partial documents such as the List of Municipalities and Selected Barangays, Areas for Repacking, and Target Date for Distribution. “What we require is part of auditing processes wherein public funds should be liquidated,” Razon said.
It was during the last meeting when the group expressed their fear in providing the distribution list as this might be used in filing charges against them for their part in the barricade in Montevista Highway last month. But DSWD has no intention of doing such.
The eight DSWD requirements cited in earlier reports are: distribution plan indicating place and time of distribution and how the goods are to be distributed; distribution list [name and address of recipients]; name of responsible person who shall guarantee the safe distribution; distribution will be witnessed by DSWD, PLGU and MLGU representatives;
release of rice will be done at the Typhoon Pablo Disaster Relief Operations Center, DPWH Depot, Panacan in Davao City; relief goods must be acknowledged as coming from the government; distribution report after the actual distribution; and storage of rice follows safety standards.
The picket lasted for almost two hours and the protesters did not approach nor seek an audience with any of the regional officials. Bottled water and biscuits were distributed by the Department to the protesters though.
DSWD assures all ‘Pablo’ victims that they will continue to recieve relief assistance from DSWD. The Department will give assistance to everyone who is in need and it continues to remind Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries that no one can delist them from the program even if they joined the barricade.
DSWD has already established disaster hubs in Nabunturan and Mati City where relief goods are stored enabling respective local governments to conduct frontline distribution, Razon said.
On the call of Barug Katawhan to ‘Oust Secretary Dinky Soliman’, Razon said, “Where can you find a very hardworking and very visible Secretary who is also very passionate in her job?”
On the issue on bunkhouse construction and padded payroll, Razon explained investigations are on-going and pertinent documents have already been submitted to the Commission on Audit which is currently conducting a Post-Audit.
Meanwhile, Razon reiterated the Department’s Appeal for Volunteers. “We call on kind-hearted residents as we need more volunteers to help in the repacking of relief goods. Most of our remaining volunteers are from the neighboring areas in Panacan. We hope more can come from other areas especially during weekdays when the number of volunteers is slack.”(DSWD)
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