Questions have surfaced over the handling of relief donations intended for earthquake victims after claims that some assistance was routed through the office of Vice Mayor Victor James Yap Jr. instead of the municipality’s Emergency Operations Center.

Sources familiar with the matter alleged that donations for disaster response were received by personnel linked to the vice mayor’s office and that decisions on recipients were made through the political office rather than established emergency response channels.

The allegations have raised concerns among residents and community observers, who said relief goods should be managed through the Emergency Operations Center or disaster response agencies to ensure transparency, accountability and needs-based distribution.

Under standard disaster response procedures, relief assistance is generally coordinated through local disaster risk reduction and management offices and emergency operations centers.

Critics warned that political involvement in aid distribution could create perceptions of favoritism at a time when affected communities are heavily dependent on government assistance.

As of press time, the Office of the Vice Mayor had not issued a statement on the allegations.