By Dolly Yasa
Diego Malacad, president of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) confirmed to Daily Guardian that he was flooded with complaints from members who received food assistance from the Bacolod City’s Department of Social Welfare and Development that were distributed Friday.
Daily Guardian tried to reach DSWD head Pacita Tero but she has yet to respond as of this writing.
Malacad said noodles and pancit canton that UNDOC members received were expired as early as Sept 5 and those who ate the NFA rice complained of “upset stomach.”
Some of the recipients were from Barangay Handumanan where there are about 350 tricycle drivers, more than 100 jeepney drivers, and 70 E-bike and trisikad drivers.
Malacad said he also received a food pack but he has not opened it. He said he was criticized by the members as well.
Malacad said he called the DSWD who advised them to clean the rice with water at least three times.
The transport leader, however, said they are still thankful to Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the food packs but sadly “it did not help at all.”
“Pasalamat kami nga may kan-on kami nga may bugas nga gina hatag sa amon pero tapos mo kaon ma sol-ab imo solok solok kag the next day gutom ka kaayo. Excited man tani sila makahigop sang sabaw nga mainit kay may noodles tapos expired gale.”
Malacad said he learned that the food packs have been stored in a school since May 2020.
A certain Milrose Villegas from Barangay Banago posted photos of the alleged expired food items received by a relative who is a trisikad driver. The post went viral on social media with more than 400 comments.
Earlier, Tero told the Daily Guardian that they have distributed food packs to indigent families and informal sectors affected by the imposition of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine due to rising cases of the coronavirus disease 2019.
Tero said Mayor Leonardia directed them to prioritize the transport sector and the numbered barangays.
The DSWD prepared more than 40,000 food packs.
