Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday, August 31, debunked a viral Facebook post claiming that the contents of each Family Food Pack (FFP) cost more than ₱1,500, calling the claim a misinterpretation and “fake news.”
Gatchalian clarified that the actual awarded price of each FFP is ₱797.80, significantly lower than the ₱1,503 amount cited in the viral post.
“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,” Gatchalian said in an interview with Unang Hirit.
The DSWD chief explained that the ₱1,503 figure refers to the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), which serves as the maximum or ceiling amount for the procurement and is not the final price awarded to the supplier.
“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,” Gatchalian said.
He emphasized that the procurement of FFPs undergoes a transparent and competitive bidding process. The DSWD Bids and Awards Committee evaluates suppliers based on technical, financial, and legal requirements before awarding the contract to the bidder with the lowest calculated and responsive offer in accordance with government procurement rules.
Gatchalian also defended the quality and nutritional value of the food items included in the packs, rejecting claims that the contents are of poor quality.
“Walang papasok sa kahon na iyon na hindi ko personal na natikman o kinain, and I can tell you that with a straight face,” he said.
He added that the food items undergo evaluation by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to ensure that they meet established standards.
Each DSWD Family Food Pack contains 6 kilograms of rice, four cans of tuna flakes, four cans of corned beef, two cans of sardines, five sachets of instant coffee, and five sachets of choco malt drink.
The FFP composition was endorsed by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and follows the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI) formulated by the FNRI. The combination is intended to provide families with staple food, protein, energy, and essential nutrients.
The food packs are designed to provide immediate assistance to families affected by disasters and other emergencies. The DSWD said each pack is intended to help sustain a family of five for approximately two to three days, rather than serve as a replacement for a household's regular food supply.
The DSWD, meanwhile, urged the public to verify information before sharing claims on social media and encouraged individuals with questions or complaints regarding the FFPs to coordinate directly with the Department.
