The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) expressed regret over the inclusion of 33 food packs containing spoiled canned goods and expired noodles in the 22,350 food packs distributed to Mayon evacuees over the weekend, adding that they will immediately be replaced so as not to compromise the food needs of the people.

The Department however clarified that it is not 21 sacks as previously reported.

Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that DSWD will investigate why the incident happened when the goods were only newly procured.

She has also ordered the review the agency’s procurement process and its established warehouse, handling, and logistic practices to institute the necessary corrective actions.

Based on the result of the initial investigation conducted by the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), the canned goods got damaged in transit due to the weight and bulk of the relief supplies piled in the trucks.

The Department on the other hand has set to find out with the supplier why there are expired noodles included from the newly purchased goods.

APSEMO still however recognized that there is no perfect delivery, especially of relief goods during disasters.

Sec. Soliman emphasized that DSWD, in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), remains committed to provide safe food to evacuees for the duration of their stay in evacuation centers.

She likewise indicated that this incident will not happen again in the next relief delivery caravans for Mayon, whose second batch of five trucks carrying 4,050 food packs left DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) for Legazpi City at 4 am this morning.###