MANILA, Jun 03, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) is worried over alleged reports of illegal sale of its rice donated to thousands of displaced impoverished population in the conflict-torn southern Philippines, the U.N. agency said Wednesday.
In a statement, WFP country director Stephen Anderson said the WFP is conducting an investigation on the matter, noting that it is taking the issue of accountability "very seriously."
The U.N. official said his office is closely working with all concerned authorities to probe the two separate incidents that occurred last May 30 and 31 in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao province where two 10-wheeler trucks loaded with WFP supplies were intercepted.
Local media reports said about 3,330 bags of the rice were pilfered and sold.
"WFP food is meant for direct consumption by the intended beneficiaries and labeled bags of WFP rice are not meant for sale or tender by others or for resale in markets," Anderson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said on a Wednesday press briefing that the President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and the authorities will punish local officials who are found culpable.
Since last year, the WFP has been extending rice supplies to thousands of displaced persons in Maguindanao and other conflict zones in Mindanao, especially after the escalation of clashes between government troops and the Muslim rebels fighting for greater autonomy in Muslim Mindanao.
The renewed fighting in central Mindanao late last year, triggered by a Supreme Court order barring the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to sign a key agreement in peace progress, has displaced over 600,000 people at the height.
Last year alone, the WFP dispatched more than 900 metric tons of rice to the displaced families in Mindanao.
No comments:
Post a Comment