NEARLY 400 sacks of rice, part of the Cebu Provincial Government’s Sugbo Merkado Barato (SMB) program, have been left unsold and untouched in Mandaue City since 2023.
The rice, which has been stored in a facility in Barangay Tawason for over a year, is now being inspected by local authorities to determine if it is still safe for human consumption, according to the City Social Welfare and Services (CSWS) office.
During her inspection on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, Stella Alocillo, supervisor of the CSWS Relief Goods Division, said that the program was suspended in 2023 due to the Commission on Elections ban on aid distribution during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections that October.
“We were forced to stop selling the rice due to the election ban. However, the program was never resumed afterward because the rice had already changed in appearance and it looked unconsumable. The stocks remained in storage,” Alocillo said.
The situation came to light recently after Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano was informed of the stored rice, prompting the City Government to inspect the warehouse.
The CSWS has sent a letter to both the City Health Office and the City Agriculture Office, requesting them to inspect the condition of the rice and determine whether it is still safe to eat.
“We’ve submitted our official request for inspection, and we’re now waiting for their findings. Once we receive clearance, we’ll proceed accordingly either by distributing the rice to qualified indigents or disposing of it properly if found unfit for consumption,” Alocillo said.
The rice was part of 1,074 sacks turned over by the Provincial Government in 2023, when the SMB program was launched to cushion the impact of rising food prices on low-income households.
The program defines indigents as individuals with no visible means of income, whose earnings are insufficient to support their families, or those suffering from extreme poverty. It was done in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Under the SMB’s 20-kilo rice initiative, qualified beneficiaries with SMB QR code cards were allowed to buy two kilos of rice per week at subsidized rates.
Alocillo said demand for the rice was high among indigent residents. However, the two-kilo weekly limit, strict guidelines and limited distribution channels prevented many from regularly availing themselves of the program.
“A lot of people buy this rice, but it was limited to two kilos per person and not everyone could avail of it. This is another reason why it didn’t sell out quickly,” she said.
The rice was initially sold through a mobile caravan per barangay, but due to dwindling sales and logistical challenges, the selling was later centralized at Mandaue City Hall and the CSWS office.
“Many indigents appealed to buy more than two kilos, but we couldn’t allow it because those were the guidelines from the Capitol and DSWD,” she added.
At one point, 80 sacks were donated to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for inmates.
Alocillo said they remitted their earnings to the Provincial Government, while Mandaue City shouldered the cost of any unsold inventory. However, she couldn’t provide the exact figures, as that information is with the city treasurer and the agriculture office. The City is now expected to absorb the financial burden of the remaining stock if the rice is found unfit for distribution.
She clarified that the CSWS office merely facilitated the rice distribution and sales, while the procurement and guidelines were handled by the Provincial Government.
As of now, the City awaits the results of the inspection before taking further action. Mold, discoloration, moisture damage, or pest infestation would result in immediate disposal, but specific protocols for discarding the rice have not yet been disclosed.
Alocillo said that if the program hadn’t been so selective about who could buy the rice, all the rice stocks might have been consumed by now, given the high demand and regular requests from indigent households.
The Mandaue City Government said it is committed to resolving the issue and will await the health and safety assessments before deciding on distribution or disposal. / CAV