Escudero wants soup kitchens instead of uncooked rice as relief goods

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Vice presidential candidate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to set up “soup kitchens” in typhoon-hit areas instead of giving away uncooked food as relief goods.

In a statement on Sunday, Escudero said the DSWD continues to distribute uncooked food pack items such as rice and noodles as well as canned goods, even though the storm victims do not have the tools to cook and open the food items.

READ: Escudero tells gov’t: Shelter ‘Yolanda’ survivors too

Escudero said it seems that the DSWD has not learned its lessons from the slow disaster response in the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” the world’s strongest typhoon to hit land in 2013, which claimed over 6,000 lives.

“Up to now the DSWD is still doing that. Relief operation should be more relevant, should be more realistic and not simply for a show,” Escudero said.

Thus, Escudero suggested setting up soup kitchens to provide storm victims immediate aid for 24 hours.

He said he had suggested it when Yolanda struck the central Philippines.

READ: Escudero seeks special audit of ‘Yolanda’ funds

“Kung talagang gusto nilang makatulong, tulad po sa aming probinsiya, kailangang magtayo ng mga ‘soup kitchen’ upang kagyat na matulungan yung mga nasalanta. Walang gamit yung mga tao, nawala nga ang bahay nila, paano nila isasaing ang bigas? Bukas ang mga ‘soup kitchen’ 24/7,’” said Escudero.

(If they really wanted to help, like in our province, “soup kitchens” must be established so the victims will be assisted immediately. People have no tools because they lost their homes. How can they cook rice? Whereas, “soup kitchens” are open 24/7.)

Escudero is the vice presidential running mate of Senator Grace Poe. Poe and Escudero are running as independent in the 2016 presidential elections. RAM