DSWD warehouse dirty, unsafe — COA

The Commission on Audit (COA) has raised the alarm over the seedy condition of a two-story structure being used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development–National Capital Region as a warehouse for food and non-food relief goods.

In a 238-page consolidated report on the Audit of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Funds released last Sept. 18, COA said the building has a damaged roof, windows, and door; makeshift fence made of galvanized iron sheet; dirty washrooms; but above all, infested by rats and cockroaches.

On Aug. 30, a copy of the special report was submitted to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro as chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“The DSWD NCR’s storage facility is not well-maintained and in a state of disrepair making it unfit to accommodate relief goods for emergency situations. This likewise poses risks for theft, vandalism, and other security breaches that could compromise the safety of staff and stored goods,” COA stated.

Personnel of the warehouse located on Chapel Road, NAIA 2, Pasay City complained that the comfort rooms were badly in need of maintenance works but some were reportedly used to store NFA rice found to be infested with weevils together with foldable tables, whiteboards and plastic chairs.

The guidelines for stacking of relief goods were not followed.

“The staff informed us that they had to transfer the goods, especially for coffee and cereals, due to cockroaches and rats in the building. They also disclosed that no regular pest control measures were conducted in the facility,” COA said.

“The overall condition of the facility is subpar and does not meet the required standards for a safe and secure storage environment,” the COA team added.

The DSWD management agreed to the recommendations of the COA to undertake immediate repairs on the most urgent structural issues and to engage pest control services to prevent contamination and wastage of stored goods.