200,000 ‘Yolanda’ victims did not get aid — DSWD head

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Monday said her department had submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte a report on supposed irregularities in government aid for victims of supertyphoon “Yolanda” in 2013.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Taguiwalo said around 200,000 people from Regions 6 and 8 complained that they did not receive assistance from the government.

READ: COA: ‘Yolanda’ aid wasted, unused

“We have submitted the report to the President already and we asked him to initiate the investigation,” Taguiwalo said.

“The money has gone to the people but there are cases of irregularities or non-compliance… The exclusion of emergency shelter assistance is widespread,” she added.

Taguiwalo said the Department of Social Welfare and Development started an assessment of Yolanda donations when she assumed office in July upon the request of the people.

READ: Yolanda’ victims ask DSWD to probe housing aid funds

“We are doing our best that the Yolanda experience in terms of delayed provision of emergency assistance should not be repeated,” she said.

“We don’t want any form of irregularity or corruption, and the President was very clear about it,” she added. CBB/rga