CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 10 (DSWD-10) on Monday warned the selling of donated goods will be a ground for disqualification from receiving future aid from the government.
DSWD-10 issued the warning after receiving reports that some evacuees displaced by the ongoing Marawi City crisis are selling government-provided goods.
Oliver Inodeo, DSWD-10 spokesperson, said those proven to be doing so will be “immediately delisted.”
However, Inodeo acknowledged that some evacuees are complaining of the “monotonous” supply of canned goods from government agencies as well as from aid groups.
To address the matter, the DSWD-10 official said the agency is working on a plan to hand other food items such as chicken, dried fish and beans so the evacuees would receive a variety of meals everyday—whether they are in evacuation centers or in their homes.
DSWD-10 Director Nestor Ramos said that while they “understand that (the evacuees) are in need of money that is why they are selling the relief goods, but we also have to realize that based on guidelines, selling these relief goods is prohibited.”
Ramos said the agency is also working on a cash-for-work program to be implemented among evacuees.
“We are giving out P200 each day for 10 days for our internally displaced persons in exchange for work rendered like cleaning the evacuation centers, dredging canals, cleaning out surroundings, among others,” Ramos said.
An estimated 300,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in Marawi, which has been besieged by the terrorist Maute group since May 24.
In the eastern shore of Lake Lanao, some 7,000 evacuees have difficulty receiving regular help because of access, logistical and security issues, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. (PNA/Mark D. Francisco)
