Cotabato LGU discourages giving aid to quake victims by roadside

The local government of Cotabato on Tuesday discouraged the public from handing out donations to quake-stricken residents of Mindanao waiting at the roadside as these cannot be properly regulated.

In a report by Maki Pulido in GMA News' Balitanghali on Tuesday, the government assured the public that they have enough supply of relief goods but still need to fix the distribution system.

"Dini-discourage namin yung pagbibigay sa kalsada dahil wala ho data doon. Ang gagawin po natin, magpa-check in tayo, alamin namin ano yung mga dala mo at saan mo siya dadalhin para mabawas doon sa quota namin," Cotabato acting Vice Governor Charlene Macasate said.

"Para din yung ibang darating mai-assign namin sa ibang area. Mahirap yung iba doble-doble, triple ang natatanggap [tapos] yung iba wala," she added.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also advised quake victims to drop by the evacuation centers so the department can 

"This is being done to ensure that we manage efficiently ang ating mga resources and that we provide assistance to those in need," DSWD Spokesperson Director Irene Dumlao said.

Meanwhile, two boats also arrived in Davao City carrying 30 tons of canned goods, rice, hygiene kits, and other materials. While the evacuees claimed that the food supply for adults like them was enough, they said no aid catered to children has arrived yet.

"Wala pa kaming natatanggap na pang baby. Puro lang para lang sa amin, pagkain tapos tubig lang... Nagkaka-rashes na siya, sa leeg, tapos sa mga singit [...] May tumingin dito kanina pero wala naman silang gamot sa rashes," Annie Minoza said.

The displaced residents also had problems with restrooms due to their number.

"Nagsasabihan kami, ano kaya ang kahihinatnan natin? Kasi ang hirap na talaga, pati yung anak ko nagkakasakit na, nilalagnat atsaka may ubo pa," Gilbert Lagang said.

Meanwhile, aid has finally reached the four barangays in Makilala which had been inaccessible in first few days following the earthquake.

In Sarangani province, which was not directly affected by the quake, the water from springs in the area had turned brown.

Several areas in Mindanao were struck by a magnitude 6.6 and 6.5 earthquake on Tuesday and Thursday last week, killing at least 21 people, hurting 432 people, and with several others missing. — Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM/NB, GMA News