Gov’t trucks delivered rotting rice in gym

ILOILO CITY—Some 400 sacks of rotting rice found at the Antique provincial gymnasium were delivered by a truck of the provincial government two months ago, according to police.

But Capitol personnel, who were involved in the rice delivery and storage declined to issue statements, said Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, Antique police director. The employees belong to the provincial engineering office and the staff of Evelio B. Javier Sports Complex.

Ordaniel said the sacks of rice marked “National Food Authority” (NFA) and dated November 2013, were brought to the gym at the capital town of San Jose on Jan. 12 and 13. The sacks were found last week in two toilets, already yellowish and emitting a foul smell.

Based on the date on the sacks, the rice was believed to be part of food assistance meant for survivors of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan).

Antique was among those badly hit by the supertyphoon on Nov. 8, 2013.

“It is unconscionable that amid the massive suffering of survivors and their continued cries for assistance, hundreds of sacks of rice were allowed to rot. Those responsible must be identified and made to answer,” said Fr. Marco Sulayao, spokesperson of Kusog sang Pumuluyo.

The provincial government was still determining the circumstances in the procurement of the rice and why it was allowed to rot, according to Rolly Pedriña, provincial legal officer. He said an employee of the provincial engineering office had already been interviewed but declined to reveal information until it is formalized into an affidavit.

“We are gathering evidence to determine any legal liabilities of those involved and for the filing of possible charges,” Pedriña told the Inquirer.

The NFA has notified the provincial government of an unpaid purchase of rice amounting to P1.2 million. It is still unclear if the amount includes the 400 sacks of rice found at the gym, according to Pedriña.