CDN Picture/ Pia Piquero
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Please examine your information.
This was the recommendation of Cebu Metropolis Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to some members of the town council relating to the alleged misuse of calamity funds for political acquire.
Allegations surfaced that sacks of rice, sourced from calamity funds, had been distributed in non-calamity areas.
On March 19, 2025, Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos delivered a privileged speech, calling out what she described as an undignified and questionable rice distribution program that appeared to favor Mayor Garcia’s political get together.
De los Santos revealed that the rice was a part of the 166,600 sacks bought in November 2024 from A1 Milling Company for over P49 million.
The acquisition was charged to the LDRRMF’s Reduction and Restoration Fund, a finances strictly supposed for disaster-stricken areas.
READ: Cebu Metropolis’s calamity fund: Council probes alleged misuse for political acquire
The sacks of rice had been allegedly distributed to totally different barangays within the metropolis, similar to Duljo-Fatima, Basak Pardo, and Quiot Pardo.
Nevertheless, in an interview, Garcia clarified that the rice was not distributed on account of a declaration of a state of calamity however as a part of social companies.
He additionally emphasised that the finances for the rice buy got here from the Division of Social Welfare and Providers (DSWS) and never from the LDRRMF’s Reduction and Restoration Fund.
“Wala mana gihatag kay naay state of calamity. Gihatag mana as a social service sa mga tawo, DSWS ang nihatag ug finances, pondo na sa DSWS,” Garcia stated.
(That was not given as a result of there was a state of calamity. It was given as a social service to the folks. The DSWS offered the finances, and the funds got here from the DSWS.)
Other than this, Garcia identified that the acquisition order posted on-line was totally different from the one used to obtain these sacks of rice.
“Dili man to mao kay gi-deliver to I feel November or December of final 12 months. Marso na gud ron, hagbay ratong nahurot kadtong catastrophe nga fund sa rice. So kani lain nani nga pondo, lain nani nga supply of fund sa DSWS,” he added.
(That’s not the identical as a result of that was delivered, I feel, in November or December of final 12 months. It’s already March, and the rice from the catastrophe fund was used up way back. So, it is a totally different fund, a distinct supply from the DSWS.)
He added that they’d proceed distributing the sacks of rice whereas guaranteeing compliance with the Fee on Elections (Comelec) guidelines on distribution.
Garcia additionally urged councilors to confirm their data earlier than making public statements.
“Murag angay tingali nga earlier than sila moabli sa ilang baba, ilang i-check ang ilang information. Earlier than nila ipagawas sa media ilang i-check ilang information, kay mahug man gud that they’re spreading pretend information. Diba?, with out figuring out the information and checking unsa’y tinuod ug dili. Mao nga mo-appeal ko nila earlier than going public, please examine your information,” he appealed.
(I feel earlier than they open their mouths, they need to examine their information. Earlier than they launch statements to the media, they need to confirm their information as a result of in any other case, it looks like they’re spreading pretend information, proper? With out figuring out and checking what’s true and what’s not. That’s why I attraction to them: earlier than going public, please examine your information.)
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