Mandaue seeks resolution with Capitol on spoiled rice

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City government is working to settle its issue with the Cebu provincial government about the disposal of 397 unsold sacks of NFA rice, which were originally allocated for low-income residents.

The city government’s move follows the provincial government’s decision to reject taking the spoiled rice from the Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB) program back into the Capitol’s jurisdiction, after it failed to sell.

In an interview yesterday (August 14), City Administrator Gonzalo Malig-on said the city government remains committed to resolving the issue and reaching a fair agreement with the Capitol. But, while informal talks were already held, no concrete deal has been finalized, he said.

Malig-on said Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano intends to return the rice, but emphasized that the plan should be carefully studied first. “We will take it from there, but we will work it out pa,” said the city official.

In the meantime, the rice stored in Barangay Tawason will remain in the warehouse as there is currently no other place to transfer it.

Malig-on said that while no formal agreement has been reached with the Capitol, the city government is already considering options on where to transfer the rice in case the provincial government eventually refuses to accept it.

“We will tell kung mao na gyud na, what if ma-resolve ra diay didto sa province. We don’t have to go to that level,” he said, emphasizing that they may no longer pursue other options if an agreement is reached for the province to accept the rice.

Malig-on said they will ensure that the transaction involving the rice is balanced and that no party shall suffer loss. “Mao na nga i-reconcile lagi,” he said.

As previously reported, Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said returning the unsold rice to the Capitol is “off the table” following consultations with the Provincial Treasurer’s Office.

Empaces said that, based on discussions with Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre, the rice allocation to Mandaue was considered “sold” under a verbal agreement, making the city liable for payment. The Capitol has already billed Mandaue for the rice, totaling more than P1.07 million in unpaid obligations.

Empaces said that, although Mandaue is accountable for the payment, Governor Pamela Baricuatro is willing to explore wider collaboration with Mayor Ouano beyond this particular matter.

Empaces earlier noted that the SMB program in Mandaue was launched during the previous administration of then-mayor Jonas Cortes and then-governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The city received 1,099 sacks of NFA rice priced at P20 per kilo. Beneficiaries, selected from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Listahanan 3 database, were limited to purchasing two kilos per week. However, since the list was based on data covering the 2019-to-2021 period, the distribution proved less effective.

Mandaue City Social Welfare Services Office head Michael Pielago noted that, despite these challenges, the office made solid efforts to distribute the rice when sales began in November 2023.

However, the rice distribution was hindered by reports of worm contamination, restrictions on purchase amounts, and difficulties reaching residents in remote areas, on top of the use of an outdated list, which further limited the participation of intended beneficiaries.

As reported on August 4, the City Agriculture Office and City Health Office confirmed that the opened sacks of rice were physically contaminated, while unopened sacks were still undergoing testing. This prompted Mayor Ouano to order that none of the rice be sold or distributed to residents to prevent potential health risks. — /RAE (FREEMAN)