Albay Gov. Joey Salceda. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Albay Governor Joey Salceda defended the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Wednesday over the wastage of 32 food packs intended for Mayon Volcano evacuees dismissing it as a “reasonable error”.
“Let’s talk about the 99.9% that was good. 0.1% is reasonable error from 7x (seven times) handing & never in the hands of an evacuee being captured by camp mgt [management] protocols,” Salceda said on his official Facebook page.
Salceda maintained that the spoilage of the 32 food packs out of 23, 450 is a “statistically reasonable error” in an emergency situation.
The Albay governor clarified that the spoiled food packs have not reached the evacuees as these have been intercepted before distribution.
He also said that the spoilage of the goods is valid as the food packs undergo multiple handling before they reach evacuation sites.
Despite the discovery of the spoiled food packs, Salceda maintained that the welfare of the evacuees “is of the highest importance.”
Arnel Garcia, DSWD Bicol regional director, said that the food packs went spoiled because several cans were broken during the delivery.
“These food packs were contaminated because several cans of sardines were broken during delivery, which, in turn, contaminated rice inside the food packs. All of these were released but we assure that we will replace all of these,” Garcia said.
The contents of the food packs include: Six kilos of rice, four cans of sardines, four cans of corned beef, six packs of noodles and cereal drinks.
The 23,450 food packs arrived in Albay Sunday and were distributed by Cabinet officials Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, and Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.
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