DSWD assures safe food packs in Boracay

ILOILO CITY—The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reiterated its assurance that succeeding food packs to be distributed to those affected by the six-month closure of Boracay Island in Aklan will be safe.

“We at the DSWD are strengthening our efforts to ensure quality check of the family food packs,” emphasized DSWD Director for Western Visayas Rebecca Geamala.

Over the weekend, a Facebook post by Marissa Jason-Gabriel became viral after it showed pictures and video of canned sardines believed to be contaminated, as well as rice grains that have insects on it. In the post, Marissa warned the food being distributed could cause food poisoning.

At a press conference Wednesday, Geamala once again apologized for the incident.

“We didn’t want this to happen. In fact, we detest to see that these contaminated goods reached the residents of Boracay,” she said.

Geamala reiterated that the food packs were in good condition when it left DSWD warehouses. Contamination could have occurred while transporting the food packs to Boracay, which requires both land and sea travel.

Geamala said only seven food packs were contaminated. DSWD has distributed 2,760 packs to families in the three barangays of Boracay namely Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak.

DSWD’s warehouse staff and personnel delivering the relief goods have been ordered to double-check their condition before they are shipped to Boracay.