When Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, it caused so much devastation in Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz, Negros, and Northern Iloilo. The death toll is still being disputed, but what cannot be denied is that Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) is the deadliest typhoon in the Philippines in modern history. The damage to livelihood, infrastructures, and even lives was so bad that help from the private and public sector from the Philippines and abroad rushed in to help.
One of the local agencies that helped was the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which raised funds and gathered relief goods. However, the department was also criticized for unused cash donations, food aid wasted, and delays in social services. Could this be one of those cases?
The police station in Dagami, Leyte, shared how they were alerted that there was an on-going disposal of National Food Authority (NFA) rice in an excavated hole at Brgy. Maca-alang Dagami, Leyte. When they investigated the lot, they found an unestimated amount of rotten rice. They also found empty sacks marked DSWD.
According to the station, it’s possible that it could fit up to 500 sacks of rice.
Below is the police station’s statement, which was posted on their Facebook page:
At around 12:30 noon of November 27, 2015, an information was received by PSI JAY ANTHONY L FLORENCIO, Acting Chief of Police, from a concerned citizen that there was an on-going activity of disposing NFA rice on an excavated hole at Brgy. Maca-alang Dagami, Leyte, believed to be from DSWD. Upon cognizance of the report from the concerned citizen to this station, elements from this MPS immediately proceed to Brgy. Maca-alang Dagami, Leyte to verify the veracity of the said report and to conduct investigation.
Investigation conducted by the elements of Dagami MPS disclosed that, the excavated hole is located near the LMWD basin/ reservoir approximately 150 meters to its right going to the direction of Brgy. Maca-alang from Dagami, Leyte town proper. Further, the excavated hole is approximately 50 meters to the right from the brgy road.
Ocular inspection conducted revealed that, the manmade excavated rectangular hole is approximately 10 feet wide, 15 feet in length and 8 feet deep. Dumped on it are rotten rice of un-estimated volume and there were sacks and packaging marked NFA RICE and DSWD.
Who do you think is behind this? Share your thoughts below!
