NEARLY 400 sacks of rice intended for low-income families in Mandaue City under the Sugbo Merkado Barato (SMB) program are currently sitting unused in a warehouse.
The rice, part of the Cebu provincial government’s P20 per kilo rice subsidy program, was delivered in 2023 to help alleviate the impact of rising food prices. Of the 1,079 sacks allocated to Mandaue City, approximately 397 remain unsold, raising concerns about the program’s effectiveness and the potential waste of resources.
The program, which predates President Marcos Jr.’s national P20 per kilo rice initiative, was suspended due to the Commission on Elections’ ban on aid distribution during the October 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Following the suspension, concerns about the rice’s condition, reportedly due to changes in appearance, prevented the resumption of sales.
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano has ordered an assessment of the rice’s quality by the city’s health and agriculture offices.
The City Social Welfare and Services (CSWS) is awaiting the results of this inspection to determine whether the rice can be safely distributed to qualified beneficiaries or must be discarded. The program’s implementation faced several challenges, including limited beneficiary lists, logistical difficulties in reaching remote areas, and complaints about rice quality. These factors, coupled with a two-kilo weekly limit per beneficiary, hampered the program’s reach and effectiveness.
The city’s CSWS, which managed the distribution and sales, notes that while many indigent residents expressed interest, the stringent guidelines and limitations restricted participation.
Eighty sacks were previously donated to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. While revenues from the sold rice were remitted to the provincial government, Mandaue City now bears the cost of the remaining inventory.
The outcome of the rice inspection will determine whether the original goal of providing affordable rice to the poorest residents will be fulfilled or if the substantial quantity of rice will be wasted.
