FOUR members of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) defended yesterday a plan to buy 10,000 sacks of rice as part of disaster preparedness.
This, after Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr., the PB’s presiding officer, questioned a proposed resolution allowing Gov. Gwen Garcia to sign an agreement for the purchase.
Sanchez said he suspected the rice would be distributed to win support during the Oct. 25 barangay and youth elections.
PB Member Peter John Calderon, however, explained the resolution will only renew the agreement and that the PB has been approving similar resolutions, for disaster preparedness.
“Can you purchase sacks of rice for a calamity that is still coming? Why can’t we do that after the calamities will come?” Sanchez asked. He insisted it was the first time he learned the Province can acquire goods ahead of a calamity.
Member Wilfredo Caminero pointed out the Province is doing this so it can quickly provide for those people hit by a calamity.
“Patay na ang kabayo, mao pay pag abot sa kumpay (Should you wait until the horse is dead, before you give it hay)?” Caminero said.
PB Member Ribomapil Holganza Jr., president of the Association of Barangay Councils, said there have been no reports of any distribution of rice to the barangays.
He also cited the case of Bantayan, where, during calamities, it would be difficult for the province to immediately send food because of the distance.
Instead, the town can easily get the food assistance though an authorized outlet of the National Food Authority, where the grains can be stocked.
The vice governor and the lone opposition member in the PB, Arleigh Sitoy, suggested “earmarking” funds for the purchase, instead of immediately buying the rice.
The board finally reached a compromise after Member Agnes Magpale pointed out no rice will be released, unless the Province identifies where it will go and to whom.
“The sacks of rice can only be withdrawn when there is a calamity,” Magpale explained.
In a 2003 circular, the Commission on Audit said the calamity funds may be used, not only to rehabilitate infrastructure, but also as medical or financial assistance.
“Disaster preparedness training and other activities” may also be charged to the fund, to be recorded under training expenses or other maintenance and operating expenses.
The Local Government Code requires all local governments to set aside five percent of their annual budget as their calamity funds.