DSWD- Charges await LGUs keeping aid

TACLOBAN CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development is checking on reports four towns in Leyte have not been distributing relief supplies to typhoon victims due to lack of trucks and fuel. The towns have been identified as Dulag, Mayorga, MacArthur and Javier. Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said Javier town has its own method of distribution of relief goods. She said mayors of Mayorga and MacArthur promised Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday that they will complete distribution of aid today. She said local governments cannot use the excuse of low fuel supply since several gas stations have reopened. "Bukas na po ang mga gasoline stations sa Palo at dito sa Tacloban kaya puwede sila bumili. Kung hindi, puwede sila makipag-ugnayan sa Task Force Yolanda para magiging tuloy tuloy ang pagkuhan ng fuel. Bakit ibang munisipyo nakakakuha ng fuel? Mayroon pong paraan kung gusto talaga," she said in an interview with radio DZMM. The DSWD chief warned that charges await local officials found to be neglecting some municipalities affected by super typhoon "Yolanda." "Puwede po sila makasuhan. In an emergency, local government units ang first responder. Ang national pangdagdag lang. Binibigyan tulong sila. Di nila ginagawa ang dapat gawin. Si Secretary Mar nag-iikot, may mga nagsasabi di pa sila nakakatanggap bagamat sa aming record nakatanggap na ang munisipyo," she said. She added: "Hindi po pwede na hindi po ipinamimigay at iniimbak ang bigas at releif goods. Kukuha kami ng ibang paraan at ididirecho namin sa barangay kung hindi nila isasagaw ang pagbigay." RADIO DZMM, November 21, 2013