Taking advantage of the occurrence of disasters by pretending to be the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to sell relief items is an affront to the mandate of the institution as well as to those affected by calamities, an agency official said on Friday.
“The Department strongly condemns the unauthorized use of our logo, and warns unscrupulous individuals misleading the public that appropriate legal punishment awaits their actions,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said in a statement.
In an entrapment operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police, items bearing the DSWD official logo were seized in a warehouse in Tondo, Manila.
The items appeared to be packaged relief goods with the DSWD brand but were intended to be sold.
“The DSWD is in no way owned, operated, or affiliated with the warehouse. No DSWD personnel is also involved in the said illegal act,” she said.
Dumlao said people should stop using the Department for their personal gains.
“As we face calamities one after another, it is possible that this is not an isolated business wanting to capitalize on the weaknesses of disaster affected families. Using the DSWD’s logo to try and sell your products undermine the agency’s integrity and credibility. Aside from that, maligning the efforts of DSWD’s free public service delivery will also adversely impact on the poor and vulnerable sectors we serve, especially those suffering from calamities,” she said.
The DSWD also expressed its full support to the ongoing investigation and is prepared to take all necessary legal actions against those found responsible.
Dumlao extended gratitude to the PNP-CIDG for uncovering this deplorable scheme, and vowed to intensify efforts in monitoring the use of the official logo of the department.
Currently, the DSWD is conducting simultaneous disaster response and relief operations to families affected by the recent earthquake, tropical cyclones Opong and Nando, and other weather disturbances.
Family food packs (FFPs), ready-to-eat food (RTEF), sanitary packs, modular tents, and other items distributed by the DSWD to those affected by calamities are free of charge.
The public is also encouraged to immediately report to any DSWD office or to the authorities for any similar incidents so that immediate action can be taken.
