CONCERNS OVER SPOILAGE The Commission on Audit took 238 pages to report how relief goods stored by Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) have become highly exposed to rats, cockroaches and large-scale spoilage. This picture shows DSWD鈥檚 National Resource Operations Center in Pasay city during a calamity response operation. (Photo from NI脩O JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Thursday ordered an inspection of the department鈥檚 National Capital Region (NCR) warehouse in Pasay city.
The facility was recently flagged by state auditors for being dirty and disorganized.
According to DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Romel Lopez, Gatchalian directed Field Office-NCR Director Michael Joseph Lorico to personally inspect the warehouse.
鈥淭he words 鈥榮tate of disrepair鈥� and 鈥榣ack of cleanliness and organization鈥� are not acceptable to the DSWD鈥檚 manual of housing relief items in any of our warehouses or facilities,鈥� he said in a statement.
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鈥淩est assured that the DSWD management is already looking into this concern to fast-track the apply the [fast-track the application of] necessary changes to improve the stockpiling, cleanliness, and condition of the NCR warehouse,鈥� he added.
In a special report made public on September 18, Commission on Audit (COA) observed the piling of stocks in the DSWD-NCR warehouse lacked system.
It also noticed the presence of cockroaches and rats, which might have led to the spoilage of relief goods.
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The report also stated the storage facility showed visible signs of 鈥渨ear and tear,鈥� such as a defective door, broken windows, and damaged roofing.
Gatchalian also ordered Lorico 鈥渢o sort out all relief supplies to ensure that no outdated items will be distributed to areas that will be hit by disaster or calamities,鈥� the spokesperson said.
Moreover, DSWD is considering COA鈥檚 suggestion of conducting regular pest control activities and repairs to the facility鈥檚 damaged parts.