Zambo City authorities warn

buyers, sellers of relief goods

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNO) -The city government has issued a stern warning to slap charges against anyone found selling and buying relief goods intended for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) Socorro Rojas issued the warning in view of reports from the World Food Program (WFP) and camp managers, that some enterprising individuals are buying rice from IDPs benefiting from the food-for-work program jointly initiated by the WFP and the Food and Livelihood Cluster where beneficiaries get a sack of rice for a one-week work.

Rojas said the report disclosed that the purchase of rice is done through bidding process. Each sack of rice is sold between PHP1,200 to PHP1,700.

Rojas said that buying for consumption or resale of relief goods is one of the prohibited acts under Section 19 of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.”

Rojas said that violators of RA 10121 face a fine of not less than PHP50,000 or any amount not to exceed PHP500,000 or imprisonment of not less than six years and one day or more than 12 years or both, at the discretion of the court, including perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and instrumentalities used in committing any of the prohibited acts.

She said representatives from concerned agencies will conduct inspection at the markets and other areas where the sale and resale of rice and or other relief goods are taking place.

“We discourage the public to buy rice intended for IDPs as this is not allowed under existing law,” she added. (PNA) (080814)