6 FALL ILL AFTER AID DELIVERY
But majority of those who got aid during DSWD event didn’t get sick, Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana assures Island town’s health office collects samples of the rice, allegedly sold during the aid distribution, for lab tests
Six residents of Sta Fe town in Barangay Island, Cebu have fallen ill allegedly after eating “fake” rice bought during the distribution of cash aid to indigents last Tuesday.
Authorities are investigating an allegation that the allegedly fake rice was sold to recipients of the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) and Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the town.
But an official of the National Food Authority (NFA) 7 denied allegations that fake rice was sold in Sta. Fe.
Dr. Shein Ernacio, one of the municipal doctors, told local radio DyLA yesterday that the six patients, majority of them from the mainland, complained of stomachache.
The six patients were reportedly with the other MCCT and 4Ps beneficiaries in a basketball court in Barangay Okoy, Sta. Fe last Tuesday night to get their P600 rice allowance.
Ernacio, however, refused to confirm reports circulating in social media that the rice was bought to the same venue where municipal officials were distributing the cash aid.
Testing samples
Hours later, the six residents allegedly started complaining of stomach pains. They were brought to the rural health unit.
The six residents went home after receiving medicines.
Ernacio said they have started collecting rice samples from the six patients. These samples will be sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for analysis.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana countered social media rumors, saying that only a few of the financial aid recipients suffered from stomachache.
He urged residents of Sta. Fe to approach the concerned agencies or his office to file their complaints.
“We cannot act based on reports that we read on Facebook only. We can only verify,” Esgana added.
In a separate interview, Olma Marie Bayno, NFA 7 public information officer, said that the agency had sent a team to Sta. Fe to check on the report.
DSWD concerned
Bayno also called on concerned residents to file a complaint before the NFA 7, which will be used as the basis in the investigation.
She urged the public not to immediately believe reports about fake rice on social media.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 is also investigating the matter.
Leah Quintana, DSWD 7 public information officer, said that the agency particularly wants to know if recipients of 4Ps and MCCT were forced to buy rice after receiving their cash aid.
A commercial rice seller was reportedly present inside the distribution area. Quintana said that the DSWD 7 only provides cash to its recipients.
“We give them a free hand to buy what type of rice they want because there are some recipients who prefer corn to rice,” she added. /
Consumers may raise their complaints by sending a text message to the NFA Bantay Bigas task force hotline number: 09064363133