DSWD now packing 25k food bags a day, exec tells House panel

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has increased its capacity to repack food for those affected by the COVID-19 crisis from 10,000 packs per day to 25,000.

During the hearing of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte asked the DSWD for an update on their capacity to repack food packs.

He recalled that during their previous hearing, the DSWD admitted that its capacity to repack had decreased when the COVID-19 crisis came --- from 20,000 packs per day before the pandemic to 10,000 packs per day during the pandemic.

"Pinataas na natin sa 25,000 per day," DSWD Undersecretary Felicisimo Budiongan told Villafuerte.

"We have activated all the warehouses in the different regions para sila ay magre-repack na rin doon sa kanilang warehouses. We just downloaded them funds for local purchase," he added.

In the case of the National Capital Region, DSWD regional director Vicente Gregorio Tomas said they established satellite logistic hubs with local government units in Metro Manila so that they could increase their output when it comes to food packs.

"Nagkakaroon lang ng delay when it comes to COVID risk. Medyo may exposure in the process of repacking and distribution. Kaya nag-spike nang kaunti ang staff ng NCR," he said.

"Minsan nagkakadelay din sa deliveries ng non-food items and food items with regard to the logistics hubs that we established. But tuluy-tuloy naman," he added.

Deputy Speaker Dan Fernandez suggested that the DSWD forge a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with malls, supermarkets, drugstores and other similar establishments that could provide basic necessities so that they could fast-track the distribution to the intended beneficiaries.

"Why not come out with these template MOA with different stakeholders with regards to the distribution of relief goods like SM, Robinsons, or mga big groceries that can cater easily and expeditiously doon sa mga areas ng LGUs?" Fernandez said.

"Kung meron tayong somehow na ganitong klase na MOA with these groups, mapapabilis yung distribution natin ng relief packages," he added.

Budiongan welcomed Fernandez's suggestion and said that they are already moving towards that direction.

"As a matter of fact, we have initial talks already with SM para magkaroon ng ganoong MOA. Ang tinitignan lang natin kung, for as long as wala tayong makikitang violation sa RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act)," he said. -NB, GMA News