Procurement for food packs goes through transparent, competitive process – DSWD chief

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday (August 31) debunked a viral post of a netizen in Facebook who alleged that the cost of the contents of each family food packs (FFPs) was more than Php1,500.

Stressing that the procurement of FFPs undergoes a transparent and competitive bidding process, the DSWD chief said the viral post was a clear case of misinterpretation and ‘fake news’ since the actual cost of the contents of each FFP is less than Php800.

“Ang actual na award price ay Php797.80 lamang. So, walang katotohanan yung Php1,500 na sinasabi nya na award price – misinterpretation, misappreciation, fake news – iyan yung mga sinabi namin,” Secretary Gatchalian explained in an interview with Unang Hirit.

Secretary Gatchalian further highlighted that the competitive bidding process sets an Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) ceiling price which is different from the award price.

“Yung tinutukoy [ng netizen] na Php1,503, iyon yung tinatawag na ABC o maximum iyon. So lahat ng produkto na ibinibigay natin ay dumadaan sa competitive bidding. So ibig sabihin naglalagay tayo ng ABC, kung tawagin, iyan yung ceiling pero hindi iyan ang award price,” the DSWD chief pointed out.

Under the procurement process, the DSWD Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) evaluates the bids to determine the supplier that meets the required technical, financial, and legal conditions and offers the lowest calculated and responsive bid based on government procurement rules.

Secretary Gatchalian also responded to the allegation on the low quality of contents in the FFPs.

“Walang papasok sa kahon na iyon na hindi ko personal na natikman o kinain, and I can tell you that with a straight face. Pangalawa, lahat iyan dumadaan sa Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Ibig sabihin pumapasa iyan sa standards ng DOST o ng FNRI na kaaya-aya, at tama, at maayos yung laman ng ating mga food boxes,” the DSWD chief said.

The DSWD’s FFPs provide immediate food support to affected families. Each pack is composed of 6 kilograms of rice; 4 cans of tuna flakes; 4 cans of corned beef; 2 cans of sardines; 5 sachets of instant coffee; and 5 sachets of choco malt drink.

The composition of the FFPs was endorsed to the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and is in accordance with the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI) formulated by the FNRI.

The contents of every food pack are intended to provide a combination of staple food, protein sources, energy, and essential nutrients.

However, the FFPs are not intended to replace a family’s regular food supply for an extended period. The food assistance is intended to help sustain a family of five for two to three days

The DSWD is also appealing to the public to direct their inquiries or complaints to the Department and to be more discerning of misleading information being posted in social media.

Concerned citizens may file their complaints via the DSWD’s Integrated Grievance Redress Management System (IGRMS) which can be accessed at https://i-grs.dswd.gov.ph/ . (AKDL)

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