Dinky Soliman Slams DSWD Over Repacking of Relief Goods for Typhoon Lawin Victims

It appears that former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman is not happy with the praises being received by her successor, Judy Taguiwalo. This is after the sitting DWSD secretary has shown photos in social media how relief goods for victims of Super Typhoon ‘Lawin’ in Cagayan province are being packed.

A week before Super Typhoon ‘Lawin’ made a landfall in Peñablanca, Cagayan last Wednesday, October 20, the DWSD has been busy coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other government agencies for the preparation, to ensure that proper assistance will be given to the victims.

Right after Lawin left the PAR (Philippine area of responsibility) leaving 14 people dead and has damaged thousands of hectares of rice fields, DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo has been personally attending to the giving of relief goods to the affected areas. And contrary to the rumors, she was not among the cabinet members who joined President Duterte’s visit to China.

As a proof, photos of Secretary Taguiwalo talking to people and distributing relief goods were shared on her official Facebook page. Also included are photos of relief goods that are properly stacked inside a warehouse. The boxes can also be seen labeled ‘DWSD’, and do not mention the name of the DWSD secretary or any politician whatsoever.

As a result, tons of netizens praised the effort of Taguiwalo, and could not help but compare the current DSWD to the time when Dinky Soliman was still the secretary. Based on earlier reports and complain on social media during the past administration, tons of relief goods for Yolanda victims were not distributed, and even ended up wasted in dump sites.

However, Dinky Soliman insisted that the present DWSD should not take credit for the orderly packed relief goods. In a statement, she said that a modernized repacking system of relief goods has been established back in September 2015. This includes setting up of conveyors, case erectors a pallet racking system, as well as rice bagging machines.