PNP ordered to probe hoarding of relief goods in Bohol

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II on Tuesday ordered the Philippine National Police to look into reports that some local executives in Bohol have been hoarding relief goods that were delivered to their offices by disaster officials from the national and provincial government.

“Hindi naman tama na itago sa mga opisina ang mga relief goods na bigay ng national at provincial government. Kung talagang may nangyayaring ganito, dapat managot sa batas ang sinumang responsible sa relief hoarding,” Roxas said.

(Relief goods from the national and provincial government should not be stored in offices. If this is really happening, those responsible should be held liable for relief hoarding.)

The statement was issued after the Department of Social Welfare and Development said some residents displaced by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit the province last week have not received relief goods as some local officials were hoarding the goods.

Police Chief Superintendent Danilo Constantino, Region VII police director, and all chiefs of police in the province, have been ordered to ensure that all relief goods delivered to municipal officials would reach the affected families, especially now that all towns are fully accessible.

“The previously isolated towns of Loon, Maribojoc and Antiquera are now reachable in two hours from Tagbilaran,” he said.

Roxas added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with volunteer groups of mountaineers and hikers, have also dispatched teams to help in the delivery of relief goods even to far-flung villages devastated by the killer quake.

There is no reason for residents not to receive relief goods, Roxas said.

As of Sunday night, the DSWD reported that government personnel and volunteer groups have delivered about 22,000 food packs daily to 94,300 families.

Roxas said DSWD personnel in the province are also stepping up their repacking operations to maximize their delivery to 30,000 a day for at least another week.

“Hindi kailangang magtago ng relief goods dahil sa takot na maubos agad ito. May sapat na suplay ang DSWD para pakainin ang mga taong apektado ng lindol araw-araw,” he pointed out.

(There is no need to hoard goods as DSWD has enough supply for affected residents.)

Related stories

Bohol legislator seeks realignment of pork barrel, other funds for rehab

Private, gov’t lenders give Visayas earthquake victims a break