THE second wave of food packs was distributed Thursday, September 24, 2020, to various barangays in Bacolod City, as the city has been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
This was stressed by Pacita Tero, head of the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD), Thursday after they repacked about 40,000 food packs containing rice and canned goods for the 61 barangays in Bacolod.
Tero said the barangay officials have their lists of beneficiaries within their barangays, but they need to prioritize the transport groups and poorest of the poor or those who have lost their jobs.
"The barangay officials will identify their constituents who can avail these food packs," she said.
DSSD earlier distributed a total of 40,000 food packs to affected residents in the 61 barangays of the city, but some of the beneficiaries complained about alleged expired food packs.
The Bacolod City Council approved a resolution authored by Councilor Wilson Gamboa requesting City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to investigate the condition of the food packs being distributed to affected families.
Gamboa said because of the effect of Covid-19 to the displaced families of transport groups and other sectors, food assistance was distributed by the City Government through the office of DSSD.
He said food adulteration can have a range of harmful effects on the health of individuals and can lead to toxicity in the body.
"Proper investigation is properly sought that no such incidence will happen again and to make sure that guidelines in procurement law under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act is properly followed. This is in aid of legislation and mechanism will be formulated in the procurement and distribution of this food assistance," he added.
Tero already apologized to Bacolodnons over the alleged expired food packs given by the City Government.
She said according to the National Food Authority, the sacks of rice that were purchased by the City were newly milled from Iloilo and were the same stocks distributed to some areas in Western Visayas.