DSWD's Gatchalian: Family food packs cost P797, not P1,503

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday clarified that its prepacked family food packs (FFPs) cost P797.80 each, contrary to claims circulating online that each pack costs more than P1,500.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the P1,503.84 figure being cited online refers to the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), or the ceiling set for the procurement—not the actual amount paid by the government.

“Actually, fake news,” Gatchalian said in an interview on Unang Balita, referring to the claim that each FFP costs P1,503.

He said the P1,503.84 ABC is the maximum amount that may be allocated for the procurement, while the actual award price for the food pack is P797.87.

The Secretary explained that DSWD procurements undergo competitive bidding, with the contract awarded to a supplier that submits the lowest responsive bid (the lowest bid that meets all the requirements) and complies with the agency’s technical specifications.

Thus, Gatchalian said the ABC should not be mistaken for the actual price paid by DSWD for the food packs.

The clarification came after a social media post claimed that a family food pack costs more than P1,500.

The food pack contains:

• six kilos of rice (vacuum packed),
• four canned corned beef,
• four canned tuna,
• two canned sardines,
• five sachets of 3-in-1 instant coffee,
• five sachets of powdered choco malt drink

Gatchalian also rejected claims that the contents of the food packs were not fit for consumption.

He said he personally checks the food items included in the packs.

“Walang papasok sa kahon na ’yan na hindi ko personal na natikman o kinain,” Gatchalian said. (Nothing goes into that box that I have not personally tasted or eaten.)

He added that the food items undergo evaluation by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

According to Gatchalian, this ensures that the contents meet the prescribed food safety and nutritional standards and are suitable for inclusion in the food packs distributed to beneficiaries.

The DSWD earlier emphasized that its FFP procurement process includes requirements on the quality and specifications of the food items, with the contents assessed against applicable food safety and nutritional standards.

Combat fake news

In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Today, DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao on Monday urged the public to research information first before posting it online.

She said the recent issue circulating online about the price of DSWD FFPs adds to the agency's burden while it is in the middle of emergency response operations.

“Nakakalungkot na may ganitong mga post, kasi ang DSWD ay naka-focus sa panahon na ito sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan. Dagdag isipin po ng amin pong kagawaran na meron pang mga impormasyon na pinapakalat na hindi po totoo at kulang po sa pag-aaral o pagre-research,” Dumlao said.

(It is disheartening that there are posts like this because the DSWD is currently focused on providing assistance to our fellow countrymen. It adds to our department's burden when false information is spread without proper study or research.)

Dumlao noted that procurement activities and documents of the DSWD are publicly available on its website and can be used to cross-check or verify information.

“’Yon pong mga ipino-procure po natin… even procurement activities ay nakapaskil po sa amin pong webpage at meron din po kaming site kung saan napa-publish ang mga procurement documents po natin. Sinusunod po natin lahat ng pamantayan, wala po tayong tinatago,” Dumalao said.

(The items we procure... even our procurement activities are posted on our webpage, and we also have a portal where our procurement documents are published. We follow all standards and have nothing to hide.)

Dumlao pointed out that unverified posts cause confusion among the public, which is unhelpful during a disaster.

She called the public to help in countering misinformation and to practice responsible information sharing.

“Sana before you publish any information, especially on social media, ay pag-aralan muna natin, i-research muna natin nang maayos para hindi po makapang-confuse ng iba pa sa atin,” Dumlao said.

(Hopefully, before publishing any information, especially on social media, we should analyze and research it thoroughly first so we do not end up confusing others.)

“… Sana po sama-sama tayo to combat fake news, and para mas maging maayos po ‘yung atin pong pagtulong sa ating kapwa, ‘wag na po natin sila lalong i-confuse… at pahirapan sa panahong ito,” she added.

(... I hope we can stand together to combat fake news, and to ensure our relief efforts run smoothly. Let us not confuse the public further... or add to their burden during this time.)

The DSWD spokesperson encouraged those who can help to volunteer in repacking at their centers or to initiate other ways to assist people affected by severe weather conditions. —AOL, GMA News