Magpale: No fake rice in Bantayan

CEBU, Philippines - There is no truth to reports that fake rice is being sold in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island in Cebu, said Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

“Supposedly fake but it doesn’t look fake kay among gipalung-agan,” Magpale told reporters yesterday after testing cooked rice from samples from the town.

She said there was no unusual smell or taste from the rice sample.

Samples have also been sent to the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture.

“I immediately sent the sample. I’m waiting na lang for the results,” Magpale said.

 The samples reportedly came from barangays in Santa Fe that are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which is being implemented under the town’s sustainable livelihood program, Magpale said, quoting Ma. Evelyn Macapobre, the director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development -7.

 “Kini ilang sustainable livelihood program is composed of members of the 4Ps. They bonded together and they formed a cooperative and among the things na ilahang gi-buhat nila, nag-business sila. They are selling rice,” Magpale said.

 Macapobre reportedly clarified that the rice does not come from DSWD, as the agency gives out a rice subsidy amounting to P600 every month to the 4Ps members.

Reports coming from Santa Fe said some residents reportedly suffered from loose bowel movement allegedly because they ate fake rice.

One resident took her complaint to Facebook, saying her two children experienced upset stomach because of the rice from DSWD that they ate.

But this may not necessarily be the case, Magpale said, taking into account Macapobre’s theory that it might be the water used to clean and cook the rice that caused the illness.

“Giingon na dayon nga nagkalibang. Kining nagkalibang, according to Macapobre, like in Kinatarcan, ang source of water nila kay well. Amo sad na ipa-analyze karon nga di ba kaha tungod sa water,” Magpale said.

Santa Fe Mayor Jose Esgana urged the town residents to reports complaints directly and formally to the office or agency concerned because posting on social media prematurely can only cause alarm.

“We cannot act based on reports that we read on Facebook only. We can only verify,” Esgana said.

 The National Food Authority through its national administrator Jason Laureano Aquino also assured that there is no evidence that fake rice is being sold in the Philippines.

The NFA has warned those who spread unverified reports can face legal charges. (FREEMAN)