AMID allegations of politicking over the distribution of government-purchased rice in some barangays in Cebu City, the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) clarified that the funding used for the procurement of the rice came from its budget.
DSWS head Portia Basmayor told SunStar Cebu on Thursday, March 20, 2025, that the rice distribution in Barangay Duljo-Fatima last March 11 was part of the department’s regular food pack distribution program for the barangay’s indigent population.
She said the rice distribution was not directly charged to calamity funds.
These clarifications come as some city councilors accused Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia’s political party, Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug), of distributing government-purchased rice meant for calamity victims during political sorties ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
Councilors Jocelyn Pesquera and Mary Ann de los Santos raised the issue during the regular session on Wednesday, March 19, alleging that sacks of rice, purchased using calamity funds, were distributed in Barangays Duljo-Fatima and Basak Pardo without a declared state of calamity.
They questioned whether public funds were being misused to benefit Garcia’s campaign.
In November 2024, the City Government purchased around 166,600 sacks of rice from A1 Milling Corp. for P49 million. The amount was charged under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (LDRRM) relief and recovery budget, according to de los Santos and Pesquera.
Basmayor, for her part, said the DSWS has a separate budget for indigent programs.
However, she argued that the LDRRM relief and recovery budget can also be used for social preparedness, which includes assisting indigents even without a declared calamity.
Alleged violations
De los Santos, in a separate interview, told SunStar Cebu that the distribution of rice—around five kilos per recipient—occurred a few weeks before the start of the local campaign season on March 28, for the midterm elections. This timing raised questions about potential political motivations, she added.
She also criticized what she described as an undignified and disrespectful distribution of rice, citing social media videos showing truckloads of rice sacks being “dumped like sand and gravel” in Duljo-Fatima.
De los Santos added that in the video clips, Garcia was seen at the distribution site after the rice was unloaded.
Meanwhile, individuals involved in the distribution were reportedly wearing Kusug t-shirts, raising concerns that the distribution was being used for political gain, especially given its proximity to the campaign period.
She added that there were no DSWS personnel present, even though the agency typically oversees relief operations in Cebu City. Instead, the distribution appeared to have been carried out by personnel from the Department of General Services and individuals wearing political campaign shirts.
Pesquera, for her part, told SunStar Cebu in a separate interview that P49,980,000 was allocated for the rice purchase from the relief and recovery account.
She clarified that for the entire year of 2024, P120 million was used from the relief and recovery fund, of which P49,980,000 was for the purchase of 166,000 sacks of rice.
“Prior ni siya ma-utilize, there should be the proper process. Ang first process ani, mag-submit sila og (Prior to its utilization, the proper process should be followed. The first process is to submit an) assessment report and then determination of how many are the victims of the calamity,” Pesquera said.
“Then that’s the time they will submit the budget proposal. So first, agi sa Disaster Risk Reduction Council, and then after ma-approve ang resolution sa Disaster Risk Reduction Council, that’s the time ilang i-submit sa (So first, it goes through the Disaster Risk Reduction Council, and then after the resolution of the Disaster Risk Reduction Council is approved, that’s the time they will submit it to the) City Council for approval. But of course, before ni siya ma-utilize (this can be utilized), there should be a declaration of calamity,” she added.
According to Pesquera, rice distributions were also conducted in Barangays Labangon and Quiot Pardo. These villages are vote-rich, she said.
Pesquera said potential legal actions could arise from this situation, including violations of Republic Act 3119 and Comelec rules on the distribution of aid before the campaign period.
She also warned of potential criminal charges related to the illegal use of public funds, violations of procedures, and possible plunder cases given the substantial amount of money involved and the alleged lack of proper legal basis for the expenditure.
The individuals who signed documents related to the distribution could also be held liable, potentially leading to them being required to refund the funds, Pesquera said. / EHP