Spoiled rice destroyed

CEBU, Philippines — A total of 178 sacks of rice intended for distribution to constituents of Bantayan town were disposed of after being declared unfit for human consumption, following more than a year of storage that allowed the rice to develop mold and other signs of deterioration.

The 178 sacks, each weighing 50 kilograms, were part of the 350 sacks of National Food Authority (NFA) rice procured by the previous administration in 2024, according to Bantayan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) head Mario Marlon Pacaña.

The rice was supposed to be included in the town's stockpile for distribution during disasters and other emergencies. However, the 178 sacks were no longer suitable for consumption when the current administration discovered their condition.

In a phone interview, Pacaña recalled that he noticed the deteriorating rice stored in a warehouse at the town's evacuation center after personnel were returned to their respective offices following the assumption of Mayor Alex Layese.

“Before July 14, nakita na nako dito ang bugas sa bodega nga murag gi-abug-abugan na,” Pacaña said, saying the sacks appeared dusty and deteriorated.

Pacaña said he requested the Municipal Health Office and Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) on July 14 to inspect the stored rice after noticing its condition.

Initial observations by the town's sanitary inspector and agriculture personnel showed discoloration and possible mold growth. However, their inspection was not conclusive in determining whether the rice was safe for human consumption.

Because of this, the MDRRMO coordinated with the NFA for a more thorough assessment of the rice.

On July 18, the town requested an inspection from the NFA. However, the agency asked the municipality to submit rice samples for laboratory testing instead of conducting an on-site inspection and the MAO submitted the samples to the NFA last July 31, 2025.

In its findings released on August 1, 2025, the NFA declared the submitted rice sample unfit for human consumption, citing its powdery appearance, moldy cake-like formation and lumps, dusty condition, heavy infestation and off odor.

The results prompted the MDRRMO to notify the Commission on Audit (COA) on August 12, 2025, and seek approval for the proper disposal of the 178 sacks.

Pacaña said the disposal process took more than a year to complete because the municipality had to comply with the required procedures for government property purchased using public funds.

“Kay naa man day mga proseso nga buhaton,” he said, explaining that the office had to coordinate with the COA before proceeding with the disposal.

The disposal was finally carried out last Thursday, with COA representatives and department heads who are members of the municipal Disposal Committee witnessing the activity, according to the municipality's official Facebook post.

Following the disposal, the rice was placed in a designated pit at the town's Central Material Recovery Facility, where it would be allowed to decompose before being considered for use in vermicomposting.

Pacaña said the municipality initially considered whether the rice could be used for other purposes, including animal feed. However, the MAO did not recommend this because the rice had already developed mold, raising concerns that it could harm animals.

The municipal government instead identified composting as a possible alternative, subject to the appropriate handling of the spoiled rice.

Pacaña clarified that the 178 sacks were part of the previous administration's emergency rice stockpile and were not necessarily intended for direct distribution to indigent residents.

“Part ni sa ila sa ilang stockpile nila para ipanghatag na siya,” he said, referring to the rice intended for distribution when disasters or other emergencies arise.

He could not provide the monetary value of the 178 sacks, saying he was not the MDRRMO officer responsible for the stockpile when the rice was procured and stored.

To prevent a similar incident, Pacaña said the MDRRMO has designated a personnel member to monitor the warehouse, including the movement of supplies entering and leaving the storage area and the monitoring of expiration dates.

“Ang among paningkamot nga kining hitabo dili na g’yud mausab,” he said. (CEBU NEWS)