Catanduanes typhoon victims receive expired rice

Some residents of Virac, Catanduanes, one of the areas hardest hit by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses, said they received plastic bags full of expired rice.

According to Ian Simbulan’s “Stand for Truth” report on Monday, the residents complained of rice that had molds and were dark in color.

“Noong i-distribute namin na sako sako, may bumalik na ka-barangay ko, nagrereklamo na bulok daw ‘yung mga bigas nila. Mabaho at hindi na puwedeng kainin daw,” Barangay Igang chairman Ronnie Clemente said.

“Ang ginawa ko, pinag-ipon ipon ko ‘yung mga bigas, naka-40 plastic ako.”

Some Barangay Simamla residents raised the same concern.

However, Virac Mayor Sinforoso Sarmiento denied that the expired rice came from the local government.

“Hindi po galing sa amin iyon kasi ang ipinamimigay namin ay puti ang balot hindi yellow. Tapos wala po kaming old stock, nawawalan nga kami ng stock eh… Sa amin po yung mga nagpa-pack, inaano namin na mag-check ng quality,” he said.

The Provincial Social Welfare Development Office said it immediately disposed of rice that became inedible after it was soiled by heavy rains.

Local authorities vowed to investigate the incident.

The National Food Authority in Catanduanes earlier said tons of sacks of rice intended for typhoon victims were drenched by rains. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News