DSWD reiterates policy discouraging donation of used clothes

Following reports that the Department of Social Welfare (DSWD) Field Office in Region 7 has received donations of used clothing for the affected families of the landslide in Naga City, the agency reiterated its policy discouraging donations of used clothes.

“We apologize but due to the continuing disaster response operations in various areas, our personnel is very limited and we want to focus on other important tasks instead of just sorting out what is usable and not usable for the evacuees,” DSWD Secretary Virginia Orogo said in a statement on Wednesday.

Consistent with the provision of Republic Act No. 4653, Orogo said that the DSWD adheres to the “no used clothing donation” policy.

This is to support the local garment industry and to prevent health hazards which may be transmitted through used clothing.

The DSWD also said that the field office in Region 7 has relayed to the public that they encourage donation of hygiene kits, milk, school supplies, blankets, mats, pillows, children diapers, new sets of clothes and adult undergarments, eco-bags, and big plastic boxes other items that evacuees need at present.

Meanwhile, the Naga City government has activated a Centralized Distribution System (CDS) to ensure a more organized process of relief distribution and acceptance of donation from possible donors.

The DSWD said that there are 1,665 families or 7,381 individuals affected by the landslide, of which 1,597 families or 7,113 individuals are staying in 11 evacuation centers in the five affected barangays so far. /ee

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