Typhoons are now again upon us. A super one is expected to hit us in Northern Luzon in a day or two.
Already, the DSWD released a statement to the effect that food packs were already prepositioned for the areas expected to be hit hard by the weather disturbance. The packs will expectedly be filled with cans of sardines, a kilo or two of rice and noodles. Year in and year out such were expected. No innovation, nothing that requires some new ideas. Yes, it is always the easy way out. Just go to any grocery store and these will be available.
While some victims of any calamity will be happy with these, the manufacturers and distributors would be a lot happier. Supplying the government or any of its agencies is always riddled with corruption and exorbitant profit margins. It is always like raiding the government’s coffers. The purchasing officers will add their mark ups which will go to their private pockets, and the sellers will make a killing in exchange for their silence on the anomaly.
The government is very much aware of this but officials are not doing anything about it as they are also on the take. They are a big part of the corrupt process.
We mentioned innovation. How can the government be innovative in providing relief food items? EASY.
During harvest time, buy the produce of farmers that will be needed as relief goods for calamity victims. Buy their rice, dried beans and the catch of fishermen (dried or fresh). Vegetables can be bought in bulk and then dehydrated and packed. With proper handling and packaging their shelf life can reach up to one year. All of these can then be packed for easy distribution.
This system would save the government a lot of money and farmers and fishermen would have a big ready market for their produce or catch.
So why is it not being done? Government officials and employees don’t like to use their brains or to exert effort. It is a lot easier to just go to grocery stores and order cans of sardines, packs of noodles, sacks of rice and then repack them.
At our big expense as taxpayers.**