The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that most of the international donations or aid that has been pledged to the country will not be passing through the Philippine government agencies.
Related Article: US Marines Instructed NOT to Let Government Officials & Politicians Touch Relief
DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing on November 13, that, “So far, except for Indonesia, all international donors that have pledged monetary donations are coursing the money through their aid agencies, or through NGOs, charitable institutions, and foundations of their choice,” Hernandez stated.
Related Article: List of International Donors for Super Typhoon Yolanda
The DFA is the first point of contact with the international community who made pledges to the Philippines, the DFA then passes the information to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other agencies involved in relief and rehabilitation efforts.
There are reports that some donors have started distributing their relief goods directly to the affected communities while others have been turning their donations in-kind to the NDRRMC and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
One international donors in particular is the European country of Belgium, who have deployed their own medical and search-and-rescue teams to the hard hit areas.
DFA Spokesman Hernandez explained that international aid goes through different channels and systematic process. He stated, “Furthermore, pledges of financial support is subject to the rules and processes of the donating government or agency,” Hernandez said. “Therefore, it takes time for the actual funds to be released to the recipients.” he stated.
The United Nations (UN) is also having problems when it comes to bringing aid to the people. On Tuesday, UN Undersecretary General Valerie Amos, who is currently in the country also find it difficult to get the aid to the intended targets because of bad weather. She tweeted the following message on her official Twitter account.
Trying to get to #Tacloban. Stuck at airport. People can’t take any more. We need to get the aid in but weather against us.
— Valerie Amos (@ValerieAmos) November 13, 2013
The UN Undersecretary is in the Philippines for the launch and implementation of the UN Action Plan for Typhoon Yolanda.
Good move from the international donors considering the widespread corruption happening in the Philippine government. Go direct to the recipient much more better move.
think twice & just be wise, never compromised the trust to every politicians!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Problem is that Philippine customs and revenue agencies have declared that donations must be coursed through government relief agency or accredited “foundations” to be tax and duty exempt. The tax on donations is something we can deal with later if the Philippine government insists on qualifying private donees but will it hold up relief goods until customs duties are paid. Why does this even have to come up? Can we have a final word from the Philippine government?
In times like this. I’m OK with this. Time is of the essence!! Lets keep moving!! Deliver relief to the victims ASAP! All hands on deck!!
I think its stupid to tax relief goods, they are there to help those hit by the typhoon! if the goods are to be taxed then why not withdraw the donations? lets see if the BIR can feed the angry mob.
how could you trust the government agency to taking care of international aids were most of them are corrupt, even to this very sitaution of recue,relief,aid. only selected person you can trust like dingky in dswd maybe but others like
senators ,congresman a lot of government fund is not known to them .
Dingky might be trustworthy…. But the minions down the line of Dingky…. Can they be? Heard of what happened to the relief goods from Indonesia and other foreign countries in Cebu that were entrusted to DSWD for distribution? Hanapin ang mga posts na katutuhanan….You can see post here and there… Ang kakapaaaaaaal..