A total of 397 sacks of rice found stacked in a warehouse in Mandaue City is no longer suitable for human consumption, authorities said. 

In an initial investigation on the bags of rice intended for the “Sugbo Merkadong Barato (SMB)" project of the Cebu Provincial Government in 2023, it was learned that these were stacked for quite a long time already and may pose health risks to consumers.

The City Agriculture and the City Health Office took samples of the rice and submitted their report to Mayor Thadeo Jovito Ouano.

The officers, however, recommended additional tests for a conclusive finding.

“Laboratory sa regional office sa DA [Department of Agriculture], but sa ilang level dili sila mo-recommend. Ang sa City Health same esentially kadto na-open naay physical manifestation of pest infestation, dili na gyud to, kadto unopened sacks ila ipa-further test sa expert office,” said Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on, Mandaue City administrator.

In January 2024, over a thousand sacks of rice were allocated for Mandaue City in line with the P20-kilo rice program. However, not everyone was able to buy the cheap rice, as only those with SMB cards were allowed to purchase, and that there was a limit of up to two kilos only per person per week.

The City Social Welfare Services Office asked permission from Ouano on the distribution of the said rice, thus a quality check was undertaken.

”Ang direction sa mayor gahapon nga di na ipahatag o ibaligya sa tawo…maniguro ta we can’t gamble with human lives kaysa ato ipugos,” Malig-on added.

A report and an explanation from the concerned department in-charge of the rice have been requested.

A copy of the Memorandum of Agreement was also requested for a review on the terms of payment, following a statement of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office that the Local Government Unit of Mandaue City still has to settle payments for the rice.

“Dili lang sa utang, nga nahitabo na, siyempre sayang nanginahanglan unya allowed lang, okay unta to months lang,” Malig-on further said.

Marketgoers felt sorry about sacks of rice going to waste when several individuals have to work life and limb just to buy a few kilos. 

“Sayang mahimudsan pa unta sa kadaghan ba, dapat gibaligya to nila safe pa ang kuan bag-o pa,” according to Alice Gonzaga, a marketgoer. 

Another resident, Nimfa Ceniza, agreed that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to buying rice. 

“Karon pa na ipagawas noon, ngano ipagawas man na na-expire makuan pa noon ang tawo ana, nagtipid sa barato simbako maunsa na pud nuon,” Ceniza said. 

The city administrator pointed out that the bags of rice will be disposed of, but no longer for human consumption.