DSWD7: Beneficiaries not forced to buy “fake” rice

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas denied imposing “no purchase, no exit policy” during the distribution of rice subsidy to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Filipino Program (4Ps) in Santa Fe, Cebu.

DSWD-7 information officer Leah Quintana said there was no truth to the allegation that beneficiaries were forced to buy “fake” rice. Quintana said the directive from Manila is to give cash to the beneficiaries for them to decide on what variety of rice to buy.

She said they have already asked their local counterpart to look into the reported “fake” rice after they were dragged into the controversy.

Some beneficiaries of 4Ps in Santa Fe claimed they were forced to buy rice during the distribution of the cash assistance. According to the reports, beneficiaries were not allowed to leave the venue without buying rice.

Some of the beneficiaries claimed to have fallen ill after consuming the rice they have bought. Quintana said they immediately sent a grievance focal person to Santa Fe to investigate.

She said the assigned personnel will check on the allegations, determine the circumstances and verify the truth behind them. Quintana said they will also check whether local personnel involved in the distribution have violated the guidelines of the program.

Quintana said the agency’s next move will depend on the outcome of the investigation. Reports of the alleged fake rice circulated online since Wednesday.

The municipal government of Santa Fe and the Cebu provincial government have also conducted separate investigations.

The National Food Authority, on the other hand, denied the presence of fake rice in Cebu. The agency has reassured the public that there is no proof that fake rice is being sold in the market at present.