Gov. Cadiao orders probe of rotting NFA rice

File photo of smuggled rice (nfa.gov.ph)

SAN JOSE, Antique – Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao is not taking lightly the discovery of 400 bags of NFA rice stacked inside two comfort rooms of the Evelio B. Javier gymnasium at the Binirayan Sports Complex where these are now rotting.

“I cannot allow this to just happen. My conscience tells me to do something about this blatant waste of people’s money. I cannot allow 400 sacks of rice to be wasted because there are thousands of Antiqueños who need these,” Gov. Cadiao said.

She ordered the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Committee (PACIC) to conduct an investigation and file appropriate cases against those involved if need be.

“I despise wastage especially of food. In our household, we value food especially rice. Letting 400 sacks of rice to rot is probably the worst thing that could happen in the province of Antique, she said.

Apart from the investigation to be conducted by the PACIC, she will also send rice sample to the Food and Drugs Administration to determine whether the NFA rice stacked in the Binirayan gym are still safe to eat. She is also considering the suggestions made by NFA officials to have the rice re-milled and distributed immediately.

To recall, last Thursday afternoon, media practitioners in the province discovered that there are 400 bags of NFA rice kept inside two comfort rooms of the Binirayan gym. Upon inspection, the rice have turned yellow, a bit smelly and with bugs.

NFA Antique Provincial Operations Officer Jellah Minsalan said these rice can still be eaten but she advised that these 400 bags of rice should be re-milled first.

These rice stocks are part of the total of 900 bags withdrawn by former Gov. Exequiel B. Javier from the NFA last Dec. 6 and Dec. 30, 2014 supposedly for relief operations during typhoon Ruby though the typhoon did not cause much damage to Antique.