Rice stocks accounted for, Capitol exec claims

There were no irregularities in the distribution of National Food Authority (NFA) rice to the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete, the former chief of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said last week.

In a press statement, former PSWDO chief Marivic Garces said it had been the practice of their agency to stockpile rice and other basic commodities for emergencies.

“We don’t purchase NFA rice in bulk if there are no disasters; it is the Capitol that buys rice and stores it in the container Van located at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC),” she said.

Garces said they have an agreement with the NFA that allows them to buy rice on credit within 15 days during emergencies. “In previous years we stock on rice during the flooding in Daanbantayan,” she said.

Garces said stockpiling of rice at the nearest warehouse is expedient.

She said receipts are to be completed by the beneficiary local government units (LGUs) and sent to their office.

Garces also chided her replacement, acting PSWDO chief Evelyn Sinajon for not familiarizing herself with the arrangement and the papers used in procuring rice from the NFA.

“She is supposed to know how to run the office since I regularly hold staff meeting every Monday. All the documents and records are in the office. All she needs is common sense and initiative,” Garces said.

Earlier the office of Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale cited a Commission of Audit’s (COA) report on Capitol operations which discovered that 2,750 sacks of NFA rice intended for Sendong and earthquake victims were without receipt.

Garces, who was reassigned by Magpale to the Integrated Provincial Health Office, is contesting the appointment of Sinajon to her former post. /Correspondent Renan Alangilan