Lawin victims urged to report irregularities in relief distribution

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Social welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo appealed to families and communities affected by super typhoon Lawin (international name: Haima) to report irregularities on the distribution of relief goods.

The statement of Taguiwalo came after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) received reports the relief packs are being tampered and repacked.

“Agarang ireport sa mga field offices ng departamento ang mga iregularidad sa pamamahagi ng relief goods sa kanilang mga lugar,” Taguiwalo said.

(Immediately report to its field offices irregularities in the distribution of relief goods in their respective areas.)

The DSWD has set hotline numbers where people can report irregularities:

*DSWD-CAR – (074) 442 3946; (074) 446 5961; 09060941064; 09491417232;

*DSWD-Region I – (072) 8882505; 09399586757

*DSWD-Region II – 09177710966

*DSWD-Region III – 09088814109

Taguiwalo said they released information about the irregularities of the relief distribution to “involve the people in running the government.”

“Mahalaga na nakikialam ang taumbayan sa pagpapatakbo ng mga programa ng mga lokal na pamahalaan. Kaya namin nilalabas ang ganitong impormasyon para alam ng taumbayan, at ma-engganyo kayo na makialam kung paano pinatatakbo ang gobyerno. Hindi mangyayari ang pagbabagong gusto natin kung hindi tayo kikilos,” she said.

(It is important that the people will know how local government units run their programs. This is why we release this kind of information so the citizens will be encouraged and get involved in running the government. The changes that we want will not happen if we don’t take action.)

Taguiwalo also thanked those who donated to the affected families. TNF