Lawmaker pushes probe on rotten food-aid dumping

Sherwin Gatchalian. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A congressman on Wednesday called out a probe on the alleged dumping of rotten food aid intended for typhoon victims in Leyte.

Valenzuela City Representative Sherwin Gatchalian pushed for a committee probe even though the House of Representatives is on Lenten break until May 5.

“Even if the House is on a recess, a committee probe on the alleged dumping can be launched to shed light on the issue,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian is vice-chair for the House committees on Housing and Urban Planning, Tourism, and Metro Manila Development.

The House probe should lead to prosecution of people behind the spoiled food aid, the lawmaker said.

In a newspaper report quoting municipal officials, truckloads of rotten food aid were said to be dumped in Barangay San Jose in Palo, Leyte after the relief goods were drenched in rainwater.

But Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman said only sacksful of rotten aid were buried.

Reconstruction efforts from different nations are underway since Yolanda hit Central Philippines on November 8, 2013. The world’s strongest typhoon on record has claimed more than 8,000 lives.

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