After blog post on undelivered relief goods at DSWD

MANILA - More help is needed to repack relief goods intended for typhoon-hit Filipinos, amid reports that a government agency tasked to accept donations was allegedly delaying the distribution.

Volunteer group Rock Ed Philippines immediately responded and appealed to the public to help distribute the much needed relief goods to families devastated by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

Gang Badoy of Rock Ed Philippines issued the call for additional hands to assist repacking relief goods stored at the warehouses of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Pasay City.

"Since the warehouses of DSWD are filling up with donations from overseas, then it is time they be delivered to the survivors--families who are recovering and desperately rebuilding their lives from the recent onslaught brought about by the two typhoons," Badoy wrote in her multiply site blog.

On Thursday night, Badoy said she received a call from DSWD chief Esperanza Cabral, who got her number from Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros.
 
"I told Risa, if the lack of volunteers is the reason why DSWD has not sent out the relief goods, then she should call me. I know many private citizens who are willing to help out. And voila, she [Cabral] did," Badoy added in her blog entry.

Cabral said the DSWD is open 24 hours. She welcomed Badoy's help in coordinating the work shifts of 50 volunteers per day so they can help in the repacking of goods.

Badoy urged individuals and groups to send an email to radio@rockedphilippines.org or info@rockedphilippines.org if they have time to spare and wish to sign up as volunteers.

"If your barkada is willing but will need help with transportation allowance, please email me directly (gang@rockedphilippines.org). Wag mahihiya, kailangan namin kayo at willing kaming manundo. Hihingi tayo sa mga taong willing mag-donate ng pamasahe ng mga 'studyante," she said.

Likewise, she encouraged people who have the resources to help bring volunteers to and from the warehouses, as well as deliver barangay relief packs.

"If you're wondering where this action plan came from, this is a reaction to the news that many warehouses are filling up with foreign donations and the deployment is not fast enough for people who are in dire need of resources to rebuild their lives. Or even just to exist with a little dignity while waiting for chances to rebuild come around," she explained.

The DSWD drew flak after a blogger named “Ella” wrote an entry and posted pictures of undelivered relief goods donated by foreign donors stored at its warehouses. Several other internet users reposted the blog on their own social networking sites.

Cabral admitted in an interview Thursday that the DSWD warehouses are full “thanks to the generous hearts of individuals and organizations both here and abroad.”

She, however, denied DSWD was hoarding relief goods, and that some were already rotting in their warehouses.