So the people may know... read on.. Donors overseas press DSWD for fund audit By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Mel Caspe | Nov. 10, 2014 at 12:01am TACLOBAN CITY—Donors from Filipino communities abroad are demanding an accounting of their donations to victims of typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) amid persistent reports that rehabilitation efforts have been slow even one year after the killer storm devastated Eastern Visayas. Delegates to the Women’s International Solidarity Mission who gathered in Tacloban said they would investigate reports of forced prostitution and other abuses against women, and visit the “no-build zones” and temporary bunkhouses that are scheduled for demolition in time for the Pope’s visit in January next year. Jennine Ventura, Deputy secretary ceneral of Gabriela New York, said they are saddened and angered over reports that women have had to resort to prostitution simply to survive day to day, when millions of dollars worth of donations have been coursed through the Aquino government. “Our kababayans in the US and in other countries have contributed generously to do what is right and help Tacloban and other Haiyan-stricken areas to recover. We are appalled that the donations received by the Aquino government have not truly benefited the people who need them most.” Gabriela Philippines outlined their support for the People Surge coalition of Yolanda survivors, particularly protest actions against the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the agency primarily responsible for the welfare of disaster victims. “While tons of food and other donations were coursed through the DSWD, relief goods came in trickles for the victims. We were especially outraged to find out that these donations were left to rot in storage and then secretly buried in garbage dumps,” said Joms Salvador, national secretary general of Gabriela Philippines. Salvador added that all the dialogue they had with the DSWD had come to naught. “The DSWD not only denied that donations did not reach the victims, they also dismissed the demands of the victims represented by People Surge to provide immediate cash relief and support for livelihood through agricultural subsidy rather than funneling funds through the Conditional Cash Transfer dole program. Such arrogance is unacceptable, especially since billions of donated funds are not for the government but for the victims’ welfare.” Elizabeth Swager, director of the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, said victims were suffering in temporary shelters like tent cities and bunkhouses, and unable to return to their communities because of the “no build zone” policy, but businesses were already raking in profits by setting up in these zones. ‘Why is there support for businesses, but no support for the people?” she asked. Delegates of the WISM plan to submit to concerned local government units the results of their investigation, together with concrete recommendations that will benefit women and children in the areas. They also plan to meet with congressional representatives of some of the areas to discuss the mission’s recommendations and action plan. Gabriela’s Salvador said reports have reached them that CCT and Kalahi-CIDSS beneficiaries, who are members of Gabriela were being threatened if they joined a big rally last Nov. 8 to mark the first anniversary of typhoon Yolanda. “Members in Iloilo City said that CCT leaders hurriedly called for a meeting simultaneous with the big mobilization of Yolanda survivors,” she added. Those who were able to attend the meeting were reportedly told that P1,000 would be deducted from their monthly subsidy if they join the protest actions. “For Yolanda survivors who had to make do with the subsidy, P1,000 is a big amount to lose,” she said. In Leyte, Gabriela members complained that they were warned by the leaders of the two DSWD’s programs of their removal in the list of the beneficiaries if they joined the Nov. 8 rally, she added. “This is another ploy of the Aquino government to subvert the people’s will to fight for their rights and demand for state accountability for (President Benigno) Aquino’s criminal negligence,” Salvador said.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 18:07:17 +0000
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