DAVAO CITY (October 30) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reminded the public to respect relief goods and food packs distributed to disaster-hit families, following a viral video that mocked the agency’s aid.
The clip, since deleted, showed a man from Banaybanay, Davao Oriental jokingly selling boxes of DSWD family food packs meant for quake victims. He later apologized, admitting it was meant as a joke and that he knew the items were not for sale.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group said such actions spread misinformation and “disrespect the dignity of individuals and communities” affected by disasters.
“These misleading posts trivialize government and humanitarian relief efforts,” Dumlao said, urging netizens to exercise compassion and sensitivity when posting online.
The DSWD emphasized that humor should not come at the expense of disaster victims, noting that many still experience trauma and stress from calamities.
