Update on DSWD Relief Good

I just love the Internet, don't you? The power of instant communication has led to immediate action and fact checking my individuals instead of waiting for the news organization to report on it.

Take the issue of Ella's blog titled Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a volunteer).

Then the Dr. Esperanza Cabral of the DSWD immediately issued a statement.

Then some volunteers went to DSWD to check on the matter and volunteer and wasn't let in by the guard even though the DSWD said there was a lack of volunteers and were told that repacking operations can last up to 11pm. None of that is happening.

I'm not saying they're stealing the goods, but the lack of coordination and expediency of the relief operation is pretty disturbing to the donors.

Here is Manuel L. Quezon III's blog about the whole incident.

Here is the Bayanihan Online's timeline of events.

Again, the issue is not whether the goods are being stolen or rotting. Ella did not say the food was rotting even though Dr. Cabral concentrated on the literal meaning of "rotting". The "rotting" Ella was talking about was the goods lay there unused and not moving.

The issue is, why are these goods not getting to the victims? If the problem was lack of volunteers, how come there isn't a constant stream of information asking for volunteers? It doesn't have to be on TV. You can use Facebook, Twitter, E-mail, text, radio, etc.

Now that these photos have been shown, they are now saying they will have volunteers on the weekend. Why wait? And why are the guards not even away of the SOP for volunteers?

You people in the government should get your head out of your behinds and start doing your jobs. People and volunteers don't answer to you, you answer to the people.